খবর

Roma shares wartime experiences with PM

Birangana (war heroine) Roma Chowdhury of Chittagong has narrated her experiences and various incidents of the Liberation War to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in an emotion-choked voice.

She expressed her heartfelt blessings to the premier as she called on the PM at her official residence Gono Bhaban Saturday morning.

“As you are younger to me, I extend my heartfelt blessings to you that you could complete your unfinished task,” Roma Chowdhury said.

After seeing Roma Chowdhury at the meeting room of Gono Bhaban, the premier became emotional and embraced her. Then Sheikh Hasina requested Roma Chowdhury to sit beside her.

Tears rolled down from her eyes while she was narrating the wartime incidents sitting beside the prime minister.

Hasina thanked Roma Chowdhury for her writings on the War of Liberation, saying that: “Many people do not know the true history of the Liberation War. You are performing your responsibilities by writing on many incidents of the war of independence.”

The prime minister said she has devoted herself to the welfare of the people by facing all challenges. “I have lost everything on the fateful night of the August 15. I have no personal desire, my only desire is to ensure welfare of the people,” she said.

Hasina said she is trying to forget her all sorrow by plunging into work. “I have lost my father, mother and other family members in 1975. So I am trying to forget my sorrow by devoting myself to the welfare of the people,” she said.

“After my retirement, my great desire is to spent time with my grandchildren,” she added.

When Roma Chowdhury enquired about other family members of Hasina, the prime minister informed her about Sajib Wazed Joy, Saima Wazed Putul, Rizwan Siddique Boby, Tulip Siddique and other family members.

In this connection, she said Tulip Siddique, daughter of Sheikh Rehana, will contest the British elections on Labour Party ticket. At this stage, Roma Chowdhury wanted to know whether any risk exists. Hasina replied that there is existence of Rajakars and the killers of Bangabandhu everywhere.

The prime minister requested Roma Chowdhury to visit BangabandhuMemorialMuseum and said the historic building was the centre of all struggles and movements for the independence of Bangladesh. “It was that building from where Bangabandhu declared independence in 1971,” she said.

“That is why I and my younger sister handed over this historic building to the nation and formed a trust fund from where the poor and meritorious students as well as the August 21 grenade victims are being provided financial assistance,” she said.

Roma Chowdhury, who authored 17 books, invited the prime minister to visit her home in Chittagong and presented three books to Sheikh Hasina. The books are Ekattorer Janani, Ek Hajar Ek Din Japoner Podya and Bhab Boichitre Rabindranath.

PM’s Special Assistants Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap and Mahbubul Hoque Shakil, Publisher of Roma Chowdhury’s books Alauddin Khokon and former BCL leaders Simanta Talukdar and Chandan Das were present on the occasion.

Source - The Daily Star