Battles of 1971

[FulcrumD]

Dear Bushy it's Victory Day not Independence Day,we also celebrate this day as "Vijay Diwas" don't u know?!!

 

[Skies]

THIS IS THE FLAG I RECOGNIZE >>>>>>

Bro do u aware that u could be convict for being rebel against BD?

I understand ur grief. Both, W & E Pak did wrong but I'll blame 80% to the W.Pak. The W. Pak political rulers were unable to guess the future, they were unable to rule and live together. They were not respectful to us. And India took the opportunity to split Pakistan. They acted as catalyst, for their own benefits.

Now we, only, can build brotherly relation between us. And we should respect to those souls who sacrifice their lives for BD.

 

[Roby]

Joy Bangla?


6 December. ‘Joy Bangla’ resonates from tannoys and loud speakers all around Dhaka. Flags flutter on rickshaws cycling along pot-holed roads as thousands march to lay reefs at Jatiyo Smriti Shoudho (National Mausoleum for Martyrs) in memory of those who died in the name of independence. Bangladesh was born under the auspices of socialism, secularism, nationalism, and democracy, but does independence necessarily mean the same as liberty?

‘Liberation doesn’t mean a thing to me,’ says 52-year-old Maqsoodul Haque, a Dhaka-based musician and satirical poet. ‘A flag and a map is really all we’ve got; merely geographical parameters of freedom, but ‘real liberation’ continues to elude us to this day.’

Haque adds that present-day Bangladesh is still ‘trapped in a vicious identity crisis with ‘nationalism’ bordering on fascism when deciding who you are and which side of the fence you sit on.’ For him, the experience of Bangladesh’s socio-political landscape depends on whether you are a ‘Bengali’ or a ‘Bangladeshi,’ pro-India or pro-Pakistan, a supporter of the Awami League or the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

‘Bengali’ nationalism stemmed from the Bangla Language Movement of 1952 and culminated with the Awami League election victory in Pakistan in 1970 and the resulting forced liberation of 1971. ‘Bangladeshi’ nationalism is a relatively new concept brought in by the BNP. It rejected Bengali nationalism and introduced Islamic values into the constitution in place of secular principles, leaving in its wake social confusion, political polarity, and an unnecessarily divided nation.

Part of the confusion regarding the real meaning of liberation lies in Bangladesh’s education system which has systematically been abused by rival political parties bent on etching their founders’ names into the history books. With a change in government, there is a corresponding change of school textbooks, bank notes, national holidays, and even airports. Just this week the current administration announced that Zia International Airport will now be called Shahjalal Airport and another airport will be built in the name of Mujibur Rahman! With all this tampering of history, how can anyone really believe anything they are told? Without the guidance of accurate historical records and objective interpretation, information about Bangladesh’s independence and history is passed down, from father to son, laden with emotion, and distorted from generation to generation.

‘Liberation is the right to say and do what you want, but at the same time understanding that with those rights come responsibilities,’ says Akku Chowdhury, founder-director of the Liberation War Museum and a former freedom fighter. ‘My generation fought the Liberation War, but it’s up to the new generation to fight another war of liberation against poverty and illiteracy,’ adds Chowdhury, in light of the depressing statistics: According to the CIA World Factbook, 45 per cent of Bangladeshis live below the poverty line and only 48 per cent receive education after 15 years of age. The UNDP Human Development Index Report 2009 ranks Bangladesh as 146 out of 182 countries, five below Pakistan. With independence, then, come the shackles of accountability, the founding principle of democracy.

Of course, since 1971, Bangladesh has struggled with upholding the principles of democracy. Many argue that the country is not truly democratic for it allowed a convicted corrupt dictator who ravished the country for nigh on a decade to stand for parliament. Spiralling extrajudicial killings around the country and the lack of freedom of movement and speech in the Chittagong Hill Tracts also undermine Bangladesh’s democratic credentials. For these reasons, many Bangladeshis believe that they are independent, but not truly liberated.

Liberation can be defined in many ways, so after looking outwards and evaluating whether or not we have achieved what we set out to do in 1971 with regards to those four guiding principles, we then have to turn inwards to tackle a more delicate question. Do we have it in us to forgive Pakistan and move on?

‘I was born free,’ says Tanim Ahmed of the Dhaka-based New Age newspaper, who believes this generation of Bangladeshis is ready to move on from the past. ‘I did not have to fear speaking the same language I dreamt in. Freedom was never an aspiration, it was a given. So my views about Bangladesh and Bengali are going to be different from my parents.’

Similarly, Chowdhury suggests it is time for acrimony between Bangladesh and Pakistan to subside: ‘I have nothing against the younger generations of Pakistanis’, he says. ‘Why should they carry the baggage for what their forefathers did in Bangladesh in 1971?’

However, scratching deeper reveals that there still remains an underlying bitterness towards Pakistanis made evident by the public rejection of the BNP and Jamaat-i-Islami alliance (said to be aligned with Pakistan) and the domestic boycotting of Pakistani products.

‘I hate them,’ says 32-year-old Joy Hossain. ‘And even though I realise that we should appear to be reconciled for the sake of trade and commerce, I don’t think there is any room for forgiveness.’

In response to such sentiments, Chowdhury suggests that the ‘key for a better relationship is closure,’ and recommends that war criminals be freely and fairly tried in Pakistan or in the international court system. That, however, is considered unlikely to happen owing to the United States’ role in the Liberation War.

For now, then, there is a need for non-political communication through music, sport, and other cultural platforms. Watching the Bangladeshi support for the Pakistan cricket team is testament to the power of culture to break down barriers. ‘I want to see a whole lot of people-to-people cultural exchanges’, says musician Haque. ‘Dramas, theatre, cinema, art, and painting shows. I am dying to see serious Pakistani rock bands like Noori and the fusion Mekaal Hasan Band play live in Dhaka.’

Perhaps after these first tentative steps are taken towards reconciliation and a renewing of vows to uphold our initial independence values, we will witness the ‘real liberation’ of Bangladesh.

 

[SiegHeil]

Happy Victory Day guys ..May HARD WORK,HONESTY,LOYALTY AND PATRIOTISM help your country to have more prosperity and more happiness ..

 

[eastwatch]

Pakistani army never massacred a single Bengali, they were bogged down on multiple fronts fighting off infiltratrors with the help of small hearted and backstabbing BD traitors. There is no time for massacring innocents when you are being massacred by traitors within your own ranks.

God save us from further embarrassments.

I AM A PROUD MUSLIM AND THIS IS THE FLAG I RECOGNIZE >>>>>>

IF THIS AMAZES YOU, STOP BELIEVING RAW FAIRY TALES.

Everybody is a proud muslim, but you are twisting 1971 too much. Are you sure that Pakistani army did not kill any Bangali? Twisting the facts will not bring us respect from the eyes of a Pakistani. There were too much of killing and that was the reason that normally armless muslim Bangalis took up arms to fight against the enemy.

If you want to be friendly with Pakistan, that is okay. But, our separate identity has already been established. Please do not try to backstab our country and create a distinct division among the population. This will only make India happy.

If leon is guilty of siding with India, you are also guilty of siding with Pakistan. Better to be independent of both these tormentors.

 

[leonblack08]

If leon is guilty of siding with India, you are also guilty of siding with Pakistan. Better to be independent of both these tormentors.

I want to make one thing clear sir,I am not siding with anyone.The only side I am part of is Bangladesh.
Just because of pointing out the truth about our strength,doesn't make me siding with any country.I told what is true,why should we hype about our strength when these things do not even exist?
I don't believe in showing my nationalism by fighting with people f.rom India.And I even don't need to.
On these board,I believe in treating each member according to their posts.
I will not tolerate anyone making false accusations about me.I don't need to prove myself to anyone,sir.

 

[monitor]

i think the debacle of pakistan was due to there over confidence or there total incompetence to fight a garrela war where every on was supporting freedom fighter and giving them valuable information about pakistani army movement furthermore their blunder was to quell a political problem by militarily means.
beside this due to west pakistanis mentality toward the east pakistanis and some propaganda against the pakistan by Raw agent before the independence war make bengali disappointed about their prospect in pakistan

but any way we have achieved the independence thats the reality and we should try to make it fruitful by making bangladesh a prosperous country.

happy victory days to all

 

[Musalman]

ہم کہ ٹہرے اجنبی اتنی ملاقاتوں کے بعد
پھر بنیں گے آشنا کتنی مداراتوں کے بعد

کب نظر میں آئے گی بے داغ سبزے کی بہار
خون کے دھبُے دُھلیں گے کتنی برساتوں کے بعد

تھے بہت بے درد لمحے ختمِ دردِ عشق کے
تھیں بہت بے مہر صبحیں مہرباں راتوں کے بعد

دل تو چاہا پر شکستِ دل نے مہلت ہی نہ دی
کچھ گلے شکوے بھی کر لیتے مناجاتوں کے بعد

اُن سے جو کہنے گئے تھے فیض جاں صدقہ کیے
اَن کہی ہی رہ گئ وہ بات سب باتوں* کے بعد

 

[Al-zakir]

ہم کہ ٹہرے اجنبی اتنی ملاقاتوں کے بعد
پھر بنیں گے آشنا کتنی مداراتوں کے بعد

کب نظر میں آئے گی بے داغ سبزے کی بہار
خون کے دھبُے دُھلیں گے کتنی برساتوں کے بعد

تھے بہت بے درد لمحے ختمِ دردِ عشق کے
تھیں بہت بے مہر صبحیں مہرباں راتوں کے بعد

دل تو چاہا پر شکستِ دل نے مہلت ہی نہ دی
کچھ گلے شکوے بھی کر لیتے مناجاتوں کے بعد

اُن سے جو کہنے گئے تھے فیض جاں صدقہ کیے
اَن کہی ہی رہ گئ وہ بات سب باتوں* کے بعد

Very touchy poem by faiz ahmed faiz. He must felt what he said.

Thanks

 

[TopCat]

Translation????

 

[Windjammer]

 

[Al-zakir]

Translation????

ham ke Thehre ajnabi itni mulaaqaatoN ke baad
phir baneiN ge aashna kitni madaaraatoN ke baad

kab nazar meiN aaye gi be daaGh sabze ki bahaar
khoon ke dhabe dhuleiN ge kitni barsaatoN ke baad

the bahut bedard lamhe khat’m-e-dard-e-ishq ke
theiN bahut bemeh’r subheiN meh’rbaaN raatoN ke baad

dil to chaaha par shikast-e-dil ne moh’lat hi na di
kuchh gile shikwe bhi kar lete manaajaatoN ke baad

un se jo kehne gaye the “Faiz” jaaN sadqe kiye
an kahi hi reh gayi woh baat sab baatoN ke baad

Agha Shahid Ali’s Translation:

After those many encounters, that easy intimacy,
. we are strangers now –
After how many meetings will we be that close again?

When will we again see a spring of unstained green?
After how many monsoons will the blood be washed
. from the branches?

So relentless was the end of love, so heartless –
After the nights of tenderness, the dawns were pitiless,
. so pitiless.

And so crushed was the heart that though it wished
. it found no chance –
after the entreaties, after the despair — for us to
. quarrel once again as old friends.

Faiz, what you’d gone to say, ready to offer everything,
. even your life –
those healing words remained unspoken after all else had
. been said.

 

[Windjammer]

i think the debacle of pakistan was due to there over confidence or there total incompetence to fight a garrela war where every on was supporting freedom fighter and giving them valuable information about pakistani army movement furthermore their blunder was to quell a political problem by militarily means.
beside this due to west pakistanis mentality toward the east pakistanis and some propaganda against the pakistan by Raw agent before the independence war make bengali disappointed about their prospect in pakistan

but any way we have achieved the independence thats the reality and we should try to make it fruitful by making bangladesh a prosperous country.

happy victory days to all

It's all convinent for chest beating but remember the superpowers America and Russia in Vietnam and Afghanistan lost out because they were fighting away from home against an unseen enemy. There are other examples like India in Sri Lanka and again US in Somalia.
Pakistan Army was fighting a war 1000 miles away against a full fledge Indian attack and the local population. More over it was totally deprived of any reinforcements, logistics and supplies. A single PAF squadron equipped with 50s era F-86 Sabre aircraft faced ten Indian squadrons, three of them of modern MIG-21s, more over the defecting PAF Bengali personal, took with them war plans and loops in radar corridors. The rest is history, hence, give credit where it's due.

 

[TopCat]

It's all convinent for chest beating but remember the superpowers America and Russia in Vietnam and Afghanistan lost out because they were fighting away from home against an unseen enemy. There are other examples like India in Sri Lanka and again US in Somalia.
Pakistan Army was fighting a war 1000 miles away against a full fledge Indian attack and the local population. More over it was totally deprived of any reinforcements, logistics and supplies. A single PAF squadron equipped with 50s era F-86 Sabre aircraft faced ten Indian squadrons, three of them of modern MIG-21s, more over the defecting PAF Bengali personal, took with them war plans and loops in radar corridors. The rest is history, hence, give credit where it's due.

It was also a home to Pakistan army, but they made it their enemy land. I understand Pakistan is a military society, but Bengal is not. Wining a war in Bengal is very difficult, even Alexander had to go back from here. You wont find any shortage of soldiers but there are shortage of Talibans here...

Your posts here does not make any sense, neither they are relevant to this thread.

 

[Peshwa]

It's all convinent for chest beating but remember the superpowers America and Russia in Vietnam and Afghanistan lost out because they were fighting away from home against an unseen enemy. There are other examples like India in Sri Lanka and again US in Somalia.
Pakistan Army was fighting a war 1000 miles away against a full fledge Indian attack and the local population. More over it was totally deprived of any reinforcements, logistics and supplies. A single PAF squadron equipped with 50s era F-86 Sabre aircraft faced ten Indian squadrons, three of them of modern MIG-21s, more over the defecting PAF Bengali personal, took with them war plans and loops in radar corridors. The rest is history, hence, give credit where it's due.

The main difference here Windjammer happens to be that US, Russia and India were taking the fight to another country......an act of "Power projection"...which in recent times only a country like the USA has been successful in......

Nevertheless...comparing 1971 to the Vietnam war is flawed since BD was East Pakistan!!!....It was your own country..your own land and your own people..You had the resources available, supply lines, and presence of a significant number of troops.....If you're suggesting that US or Russia will lose a war in their homeland and surrender 90000 troops, then I think you're delusional.

About the bolded part.....East Pak as did west pak gained independence in 47....are you suggesting that in 24 years, Pakistan was unable to secure logistics in its own land? And the fact that a 50s era squardron and an "ill-supplied" army/forces were the only line of defence for a sizable population and land of E.Pak is another glaring example of the discrimination of W.Pak towards the Bengalis. Im not surprised they rebelled!!!