Tribute with a big difference

Asar Ali remembers hiding out in bunkers that they dug out in their backyard as mortar shells rained down across the remote Bajitpur village under Birtara union.

It was all hush inside, but questions were aplenty in the mind of the then 11 year-old.

“What is going to happen to us?” he used to ask his father, somewhat bewildered. Although he was too young to comprehend what was happening around him, his father shared tales of how the war for independence began and the bravery of the Bangladeshi soldiers.

Ali's experiences as a child shaped him. He knew at a very young age that he would always uphold the spirit of the Liberation War.

A few years after independence, his father Moin Uddin passed away. His days were spent selling snacks like 'goja' and 'khurma' that his mom made at home in the evening bazaar. There was much commotion and gathering whenever a freedom fighter visited the bazaar in Dhanbari upazila near his home.

Asar Ali

In awe of their bravery, he always managed to give a free snack to the fighters, as a token of his appreciation.

When he was 23 years old, he set up a makeshift tea and snack stall in front of his home. It was a moment of pride when he put up a banner that read 'Mukti Sheba Tea Stall'.

Setting a unique example of love and respect for the Liberation War, there has never been a day when he charged a freedom fighter for a cup of tea, even some snacks or a 'paan'.

Shajahan Ali, a freedom fighter of Kaderia Bahini and a resident of Ponchashee village, said, “I always visit Ali's tea stall when I am in the area. He is always smiling and happy to serve a cup for free.”

Anwar Hossain Kalu, commander of the freedom fighters in the upazila, said, “We are all humbled by his gesture.”

"Not only the 33 freedom fighters of the union, but war heroes from different parts of the upazila and beyond come to visit my tea stall," said 58 year-old Ali.

"One day, about three years ago, a group of 48 freedom fighters of the upazila came to my tea stall at a time. It was such an honour for me to serve them,” he reminisced.

"The tea stall runs quite well; the income from the stall is enough to support us, even the education of our three children,” said Ajufa Begum, his wife.

"We locals are very fond of him. It is his warm mentality that draws us,” said Shafiqul Islam Shofi, chairman of Birtara Union Parishad.