UK screening marks India-Bangladesh ties since 1971 War

A special screening event, arranged by the British Bengali diaspora in London, featured a film documenting the history of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The occasion served as a tribute to the enduring bonds of friendship between India and Bangladesh, harking back to the time of the conflict, as reported by The Times of India.

The documentary "Bay of Blood", helmed by Indian filmmaker Krishnendu Bose, brings attention to the undisclosed hardships and fortitude of millions of individuals during the nine-month-long war, spanning from March to December 1971.

The screening was orchestrated by the Bengal Heritage Foundation last week in anticipation of the 52nd anniversary of Bijoy Dibosh, also known as Victory Day, observed on December 16.

Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, remarked after the special screening at Leicester Square on Friday, "The film projected the strong sense of the power of an idea - no amount of violence, no amount of oppression can actually kill that." 

"The spirit of the Bangladeshi people comes through in the film. It was the people who stood up and once the people were ready to die, then there was no amount of force that you could use to steer them off. As an Indian whose father served in the war in 1971, I couldn't be prouder of my father today," he conveyed.

Saida Muna Tasneem, the Bangladeshi counterpart in the UK, also reflected on the supportive role played by the UK Parliament during the conflict with Pakistan.

"A motion was passed here in the UK Parliament at the time. Today, we are making an effort to make our genocide better known and we welcome the UK's support once again," stated the Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK.

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The Bengal Heritage Foundation stated that the event aimed to spotlight the lasting bonds of camaraderie established between India and Bangladesh during the war, and to honor the remarkable sacrifices made by the ordinary people of Bangladesh in safeguarding their heritage and identity.

"This screening stands as a testament to our mission of fostering cultural understanding. It is a powerful reminder that shared history can unite communities and build bridges of understanding," expressed President Suranjan Som of the foundation.

Registered with the UK's Charity Commission, the Bengal Heritage Foundation was founded with a dedication to safeguarding and advancing the heritage of Bengal. Through diverse initiatives, its objective is to emphasise the common history, language, and traditions that unite the Bangla-speaking communities in both India and Bangladesh.