Comment by
Maliha Mansoor
I do not have very clear memories of the 1971 trauma that broke my homeland into two pieces, being a mere toddler at that time.
But the scary sirens, the deafening roar of warplanes, the blackouts, my mother hugging us young kids tight in the trenches dug into our house lawn, our father not being around, and a terrifying feel of fear gnawing at the heart, have never ceased to haunt me all these years.
My father was in the Pak Army (a Major then); posted to Comilla, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was duly taken as a POW and went missing from our life for two whole years of anguish and agony when we did not know if he was alive even. All my mother had were some of his* pre-fall* letters that he had sent to her, and which my mother handed over to me somewhere along the years.
He did made it back, though. But I never had the time to know the real picture from him as he passed away about eight years after his return; I was still a school going kid at that time.
So the turmoil about the what, how, and most importantly, why related to the tragedy kept churning inside my mind.
Over the years, my quest to put all the pieces together grew stronger but no solid answers came up to quench it duly.
To be very honest, the recounts as given by the historians (from all three concerned sides) till date have relayed nothing but either a discernibly partial or very casual (almost a hush-hush) side of the story. And that has duly served to either confuse or make somewhat indifferent a generation that already seems miles apart from their country’s history, or even the very ideology on which its foundation was laid. Not to mention, all sorts of propaganda that has added to the already blurred scenario; which mostly got away not being duly tended to as it should have been. But this is not to say, there haven’t been genuinely sincere voices around trying to bring forth the factual, logical truth. Dr. Junaid Ahmad, an accomplished academician, researcher and a prominent management consultant of Pakistan, is among the most outstanding of them.
With a master’s degree and doctorate from the prestigious institutions like Concordia and McGill Universities, Montreal, Canada, Dr. Ahmad has over two decades of teaching experience (both in Canada and Pakistan), has supervised numerous research studies and authored books in the areas of commerce, economics and current issues confronting Pakistan.
“Creation of Bangladesh; Myths Exploded” is one of them.
I find the book unique and intriguing in more than one way.
While giving a factual recount of the events (duly assisted with rock solid figures and quotes of concerned politicians/leaders, historians and writers/journalists) that ensued in that particular period of Pakistan’s history, the book, instead of giving just one slanted version of the tragedy, gives an open holistic account of what happened, how it happened (including loopholes and mistakes from our side too) and how it has been manipulated by Indian propaganda to draw the two brothers further apart over the years.
In an easy to read (and comprehend) manner the book encapsulates the whole incident, factors leading to this tragedy (that began as early as the birth of Pakistan) and most importantly, busts oh-so-convincingly the myths (read propaganda) that have trailed (and haunted) us all along these years.
Dr. Ahmad takes his audience on an all-encompassing recount in the book, connecting all missing (and distorted) dots and links of past leading onto the ’71 tragedy to the present times with a well charted-out way forward too. All of these, as stated above, are undeniable facts and figures and any sane mind can easily discern, acknowledge and accept that.
He not only elaborates the ‘why & how’ factors (issues as old as the inception of Pakistan, political blunders, unfair State policies, dirty games played by India, atrocities of the Mukti Bahini) but also goes on to expand the picture further with regards post-dismemberment of Pakistan, talking about various countries reaction to the creation of Bangladesh, the Prisoners of War and the continued Indian manipulation of Bengalis, etc.
The book, however, ends on a positive, hopeful note when it talks about the ‘Way Forward’ emphasizing the need to foster better relations between the two peoples who shared their origin initially; and in many ways, continue to do so.
But in my humble opinion what makes this book (and this man) so intriguing and ‘real’, is the ‘personal feel’ to the whole recount;
and the persona.
I had the privilege to meet him in person recently in a discourse on the ’71 tragedy, arranged by the ISPR and the Quaid i Azam Open University, Islamabad.
Dr. Sahib is a gem of a person; highly accomplished yet so humble and down to earth and utterly committed to his cause (read Pakistan) with a commendable fervor and passion that at times puts aside personal priorities, including his own physical health.
And this unsolicited passion is undeniably and noticeably reflected in his work too.
Through his own words, he gives a brief but precise insight to his persona.
“I am most grateful to my parents who brought me up as a Muslim; and a proud Pakistani, having complete faith in Tauheed, love for our beloved Prophet (PBUH), and the Two-Nation theory which lead to the creation of Pakistan.”
I so wanted to have some more time with him but he was short of time; heading to the call for his commitment which is undoubtedly stronger, louder;
and more vital!
He smiled, and said
“I am a ‘Mujahid’ on a mission. I am committed to spread the light of truth, peace and love to every dark corner of dismay, disillusion and disappointment….”
More power to you, Sire.
Pakistan specifically, and the world in general, need more like you definitely!