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From an embryo to a giant

We come by reports that the US has urged practicing of democratic norms in Bangladesh, giving space to NGOs and meeting the deficit on workers' rights. The April meeting in the US on GSP restoration is looked upon as a potential game changer of sorts.
Cricket crazy Bangladesh is feasting on Asia Cup tournament. Dhaka is basking in the sunshine of hosting the best of Asian cricketers accompanied by an array of commentators from almost all participating countries. The T-20 World Cup being in prospect on our soil, the cricketing fervour in Dhaka is extremely high pitched at the moment, not excluding the Bangladeshi Diaspora. The level of consciousness of the goings-on among cricket lovers is so high that even the minutest detail of the proceedings is quickly unzipped under the lens. For instance, Pakistani commentator Ramiz Raja, at a relatively early stage of the Bangladesh-India match, clearly tossed up an off-putting bouncer zooming in on the TV watchers, if you like. Whilst Bangladesh was building its innings at 4.58 run rate per over he spotted the projected score on the TV screen which read 229 and prematurely pronounced it was 'below par.’ This went down as a pinprick to discerning listeners: How could he have been so judgmental about the score before seeing to the end of the inning?
Bangladesh put up a fighting score and were Shakibul Hasan not laid off under a three-match ban for an odd gesticulation before cameraman after his hurtful dismissal in the last ODI against Sri Lanka, the record third wicket partnership in the Indian chase might well have been broken in good time before it snatched the game away from Bangladesh. Shakib's match-winning versatility should have weighed in with the BCB to have played him in the important opening encounter with India. The monetary penalty could be raised instead of the outright three-match ban slapped on him. National interest should have overridden exaggerated notion of disciplining any momentarily errant cricketer of Shakib's stature. Tamim has been slightly out of touch but his inclusion too might have been a value addition.
The beamers from the Indian side, one of which hurt Mushfique was an avoidable intimidation. But thanks to Bangladeshi captain's grit, he eventually scripted a well-made century.
Move on to the Hindi film Cunde which stirred up a controversy playing by the narrative of a third Indo-Pak war in 1971 which ended 'on a surrender of 90,000 Pakistani soldiers, the biggest capitulation since the World War II.' And on the footnote you have the consequential and coincidental birth of Bangladesh as a new country, so it appears. That Bangladeshis waged a Liberation War against the Pakistanis after they committed genocide upon them on March 25, 1971 was underplayed vis-a-vis the highlight on one crore Bangladeshis finding refuge in India. Of course, the Indian help to our refugees is profoundly remembered, so is their soldiers' blood mixing with our soil and India's deft war preparedness under Indo-Soviet umbrella with the Mukti Bahini robustly joining in. Bangladeshis are rightfully proud of and highly sensitive about the sanctity of the Liberation War in which countless sacrifices were made by our compatriots to accomplish their goal of freedom.
Yash Raj, the filmmaker in a post-reaction press conference said in so many words that he had taken a fictional liberty and that no umbrage was intended to Bangladesh. If, however, its sensibilities have been hurt, he apologised for it. We wonder how the movie passed the Indian censorship criteria as it contained a slant and distortion of history, not by just Bangladeshi or Indian standards but also universally accepted norms of historical presentations.
One can take artistic licence in the creative sense but not be artfully licentious with values held dear to the hearts and minds of a people next door to India.
Last Wednesday, Indian newspaper Anandabazar published a report titled 'Delhi's success, US softens a little towards Bangladesh.' Commenting that New Delhi is carefully observing the whole issue, the report points out that on publication of Carry Bass-authored book titled The Blood Telegram, the US' antiBangladesh Liberation War role in 1971 has come to the fore. In the context of South Asia whether US has really marked a departure from the 'Nixon policy' is what South Block is trying to gauge in the first place.
Nixon, in an interview with David Frost, admitted to his many mistakes, one of which was, in his words, ignoring the despatches from the then US envoy in Dhaka which faithfully portrayed the ground reality in Bangladesh.
At any rate, mixed signals about Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Shahidul Huq's mission to Washington have been received in Dhaka. We hear of Assistant Secretary of US South and Mid Asia Deptt Nisha Desai Biswal's statement in the Senate stressing expansion in Bangla-US economic relations and the need for withdrawing 'negative attitude' towards Awami League. We also come by reports that the US has urged practicing of democratic norms in Bangladesh, giving space to NGOs and meeting the deficit on workers' rights. The April meeting in the US on GSP restoration is looked upon as a potential game changer of sorts.
One final point, Obama seems laid back in foreign policy pursuits, with Kerry leading the show. Mozena is, however, on a dynamic mode in Bangladesh visiting different parts of the country and getting red carpet reception in madrasas. Hilary Clinton, the next presidential probable, by some reckoning is all too known for her views on Bangladesh.
Indian Lok Sabha election is round the corner so that things are likely to be pretty much in a state of suspended animation between Dhaka and New Delhi in the foreseeable future.
The writer is Associate Editor, The Daily Star.
E-mail: husain.lmam@thedailystar.net