1971

REFLECTIONS / In both form and content: A political (un)reality

Over the last two semesters, my course on South Asian writing at both the undergraduate and graduate level begins with Shahidul Zahir’s Jibon O Rajnoitik Bastobata (Life and Political Reality, translated by V Ramaswamy and Shahroza Nahreen).

BOOK REVIEW: NONFICTION / Rehman Sobhan’s recollections of the road he took towards December 16, 1971

The title of the first of Professor Rehman Sobhan’s two-part memoir suggests that it is about his “years of fulfilment”; the subject matter of its sequel therefore would be about the “untranquil” years that followed.

52nd Anniversary of the Concert for Bangladesh / The unsung heroes who introduced Bangladesh to the world

It is rather astonishing that the government and people of Bangladesh have shown relatively minimal recognition for the two prominent musicians who played a significant role in introducing the country to the world.

“Fragile Things”: How ghosts and spirituality make it into writing

Participants, including the show’s hosts and guests, picked up discarded pebbles, photo frames, children’s artwork, and other knick knacks—all fragile things collected and displayed by the author. 

Can we process trauma through writing?

Iffat Nawaz, together with The Daily Star’s Books & Literary Editor, Sarah Anjum Bari, will discuss the act and impact of processing traumatic memories through writing. 

When the message of Bangladesh’s liberation travelled on two wheels

Jamal Hasan and his three teammates decided to go on a goodwill mission for the fledgling state to thank the people of the world for supporting their Liberation War.

Motherhood, martyrdom and the spirit of female resistance in 1971

Ekattorer Dinguli forces one to acknowledge the dire reality of ethnic and religious violence, and the harsh legacy of colonial oppression and divide that has ruptured the fabric of the South Asian subcontinent since 1947.

War in the waters: Looking back at Operation Jackpot, 1971

Operation Jackpot was the first—and allegedly best—campaign of naval commandos during the Liberation War of 1971, a deadly blow against the Pakistani invasion forces carried out on August 16, 1971.

Poetry, my useless weapon

As bird flocks take wing at the rattle of Sten guns

December 29, 2015
December 29, 2015

Hundreds protest at Gulshan against Khaleda

Protesters, hundreds in number including freedom fighters and several cultural and political activists, have formed a human chain at Gulshan-2 intersection of Dhaka against BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s statement on the count of 1971 martyrs.

December 28, 2015
December 28, 2015

Khaleda sued for sedition

A Dhaka court yesterday ordered an investigation into a sedition charge filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for her comments on the number of 1971 martyrs.

December 28, 2015
December 28, 2015

War crimes probe 'in suitable time'

The investigation agency of the International Crimes Tribunal would start a probe against 195 Pakistani prisoners of war (POWs) whenever it found a “suitable environment” and “directives from the high-ups.”

December 27, 2015
December 27, 2015

Goyeshwar goes crazy

In a flurry of outrageous remarks, BNP leader Goyeshwar Chandra Roy on Friday described the 1971 martyred intellectuals as "anti-

December 22, 2015
December 22, 2015

‘Khaleda still loyal to Pakistani forces’

The Ekattorer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee strongly criticises BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s recent statement on the number of martyrs during the country’s 1971 Liberation War.

December 16, 2015
December 16, 2015

Thousands join AL's V-Day March

Thousands of people from all strata take part in the colourful Victory Day march organised by Awami League in the capital marking the 45th Victory Day.

December 16, 2015
December 16, 2015

[WATCH NOW] Poramaati-- A tale from ’71

A reverence in honour of the intellectual sons of this soil who became martyrs on this very day in 1971.

December 16, 2015
December 16, 2015

Pakistan protests reports on diplomat’s terror link

Pakistan protests reports in Bangladeshi media on alleged involvement of one of its diplomats in financing terrorism here. A press release issued in the 45th Victory Day of Bangladesh, Pakistan High Commission says the reports are "utterly baseless and fabricated".

December 14, 2015
December 14, 2015

Opinion: BNP-Jamaat must explain what is Hanadar Bahini

BNP, Jatiya Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh in their official statements marking the Martyred Intellectuals Day did not mention Pakistan army and their local collaborators who spearheaded the killing of the intellectuals.

December 11, 2015
December 11, 2015

Oh Pakistan!

It is really not a surprise that Pakistan would make a statement which pretty much echoes what the research has been revealing all along: that Pakistan justifies the war crimes; that Pakistan will not take responsibility for the harm they inflicted on an entire people in 1971.