Visit to Awami League Office: Now and Then

     Written By Meah Monsaf

MNA Feature Desk: I went to the Awami League President Sheikh Hasina’s office at Dhanmondi in the evening of yesterday (26 October, 2016) to congratulate newly elected Awami League General Secretary, Obaidul Quader.  The chief sponsor of ‘Kendriyo Bangabandhu Shishu Kishor Mela’, Mr. Mir Mosharref Hossain Pakbir, Member Secretary of the organization, Yasin Mohammad and leaders of organization’s Mahanagar district accompanied me.

While we were coming out of the Bangabandhu-daughter’s office after providing flowery congratulation to the leader, the main sponsor of our organization inquired to me if I remember after how many years I have come to this office. And I calculated from my memory – it was after around nine years that I came to this office.

Before yesterday, I came to this office last in 2007. That visit is also full of memories. Even there was very special reason behind that visit. Daughter of Bangabandhu was arrested from Sudha Sadan on 16 July, 2007 during the caretaker government regime. She was imprisoned in sub-jail from then on. She became critically ill during her imprisonment. Most of the central leaders were imprisoned then; many went underground to avoid arrest; many became supportive of reforms. That was a gasping political environment.

Milaad Mahfil and special prayers arranged for leader Sheikh Hasina’s good health at Awami League office in 2007

But the activists of Bangbandhu Shishu Kishor Mela took courageous stand on the streets at that time. Hearing the news of their dear leader’s ill health, the workers of this institution had shed sorrowful tears. Child and young artists of Kendriyo Bangabandhu Shishu Kishor Mela demanded the release of their dear leader in singing on her birthday at the entrance of the sub-jail where she was held. Alas! No one had the courage to put slogans from the streets demanding the release of the leader on those days.

In that situation, I asked for advice on the work plan to the chief sponsor of the institution, Mr. Mir Mosharref Hossain Pakbir. He thought for a while and said that, it will be the best activities for the leaders and workers of the institution to arrange nawfaal prayers, fasts and milaad mahfil for the health and release from imprisonment of their dear leader, Sheikh Hasina. Everyone was advised to do as he advised.

Kendriyo Bangabandhu Shishu Kishor Mela arranged duaa mahfil, fast and iftar at the Dhanmondi office of Bangabandhu’s daughter. Huge number of leaders and workers participated in the special prayer and munajat for beloved leader’s good health and release from imprisonment after iftar.

The most amazing thing was, in spite of inviting so many central leaders of Awami League to the Milaad Mahfil, except Dr. Hasan Mahmud, no one came to participate. Hasan vai was present throughout the duaa mahfil. Iqbal Sobhan chowdhury, Chief Adviser of Kendriyo Bangabandhu Shishu Kishor Mela’s then central committee, chief sponsor Mir Mosharref Hossain Pakbir, Director Mohiuddin Manu, me along with with central and Mahanagar leaders of the institution participated in the Milaad Mahfil. A caretaker of Awami League office informed that, after the arrest of the supreme leader, we were the first to arrange any program. No one arranged any program at that office.

After some time, our beloved leader got released from imprisonment. The 1/11 government could not detain the daughter of nation’s father for long. After 11 months of imprisonment, she got released on 11 June, 2008. Everyone knows the story after that. Government was formed under the leadership of people’s leader Sheikh Hasina through national poll on 29 December of the same year. I did not visit that office at Dhanmondi till then. When we along with around 50 leaders and workers of Kendriyo Bangabandhu Shishu Kishor Mela went to convey flowery congratulation to our beloved leader, I was delighted to find so many leaders and workers of Awami League inside and outside of the office.

Flowery congratulations to the newly elected General Secretary of Awami League

There is no interest involved in my or our visiting the leader. My relation with my political mentor goes beyond year 1981. He has contributed a lot in making me involved in politics as well as I will never forget my beloved leader, Quader Vai’s contribution throughout my life behind me becoming a child organizer. He always heartily appreciated this largest organization of Bangladesh holding the name of the father of the nation, which was incepted during the anti-dictatorship revolution. Upholding that gratitude, with the leaders of Kendriyo Bangabandhu Shishu Kishor Mela, went to leader’s Dhanmondi Office to pay our respect to the beloved leader. I do not know if I will visit that office again.

Dear Quader Vai, I can assure you that, thousands of country wide leaders and workers of Kendriyo Bangabandhu Shishu Kishor Mela will always stay beside you. I want to submit a request to you. We always received your support and advice in establishing this large organization holding the name of the father of the nation. We hope we will receive your guardian like support even now. This is my heartily expectation. We wish for your good health and best wishes. Your affectionate – Meah Monsaf