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Liberation War Museum celebrates 12th anniversary

Upholding the history of 1971

Nadia Sarwat
The Liberation War Museum celebrated its 12th anniversary' on March 22. Like previous years, the museum has organised weeklong special programmes on the occasion of Independence Day as well. A book fair featuring publications on the Liberation War was also inaugurated at the museum premises. Lt. Co). (Retd) Debendra Sthanpati. one of the Indian instructors at the Multi training camp in 1971, was invited to deliver the memorial speech on the occasion.
The event began with Dr. Sarwar Ali presenting the 12 th anniversary special yearly report on behalf of the trustee board of Liberation War Museum. “With the support of countless people all over the country who contribute generously to our collection and activities. Liberation War Museum has become the largest source of the ’71 documents and memorabilia," said Dr. Sarwar Ali. He also informed the audience on the achievements of and obstacles faced by the museum in the past years.
Till December 2007, the total collection of the museum numbers at 14932, including 3439 photographs, 2055 important documents, 7748 newspaper clippings and 1690 memorabilia. However, only 1300 can be displayed now, as there is a lack of space in the museum.
Starting in 1996 as an effort to preserve the history of the sacrifice, sufferings and courage of the people during 1971, Liberation War Museum has gone beyond the conventional idea of a museum through its extended activities to generate interest in the history’ of the war amongst the masses. Dr. Sarwar Ali, Aly Zaker, Rabiul Husain, Ziauddin Tariq Ali, Sara Zaker, Asaduzzaman Noor, Mofidul Haque and Akku Chowdhury are the founder trustees of the museum.
Major General (Retd) Sayeed Ahmed Birpratik, one of the 61 young men to receive training at
the first Bangladesh War Course at the Murti Camp, presented a brief biography of Sthanpati. Ahmed shared his experience of hardship and valour during the training under Sthanpati, the only Bengali instructor at the camp in the hilly location of West Bengal.
In his memorial speech, Sthanpati expressed his contentment to be able to visit the independent Bangladesh after so many years. “ I always wanted to know about my former students, none of them intended to take up the role of a military personnel under normal circumstances, and yet didn't hesitate to fight for the sake of their motherland. Meeting Mofidul Haque (a trustee of the museum) in 2006 and being invited to this event have been memorable," he said.
Dance organisation Nrityadhara performed at the
event. Rupali Modok, Mir Arifur Rahman and Sulata Rani Sharma, students of Baharpur High School, Rajbari, read out eyewitness accounts of the war next. The children collected the accounts under the outreach programme for the school students conducted by the museum.
The evening ended with performances by Bipul Bhattacharya, Namita Ghosh and Kalyani Ghosh -- artistes of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. Namita Ghosh, the first female artiste of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra rendered Aji Bangladeshey khudhar agun and Banglar Hindu, Banglar Muslim. Kalyani Ghosh sang the familiar Gano Sangeet Nongor tolo tolo and Shono ekti Mujibor-er thekey at the event.
The Independence Day special programmes will continue till March 28 at the museum.