Aamra Ekattor has formally started its organisational journey in a gathering of valiant freedom fighters and youths, with the theme, “Ekattor er Preronai Jago, Jagao,” which stands for “Wake up, Wake others up to the Spirit of 71” when translated to English.
The organisation began the journey with its first conference, held in the city’s Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium on Saturday, with the aim to build a non-communal, humane, just and egalitarian Bangladesh in the spirit of 1971 Liberation War.
This conference – held in two phases – started with the singing of Bangladesh’s National Anthem, and a welcome speech by Aamra Ekattor Chief Coordinator and valiant freedom fighter Hilal Fayezi.
Aamra Ekattor Central Coordinator Mrinal Sarkar moderated the event, while Chairperson valiant freedom fighter Mahbub Zaman presided over the programme.
Representatives of the young generation Zahid Reza Noor – son of martyred journalist Siraj Uddin Hussain, microbiologist Senjuti Saha, Everest climber Nishat Majumdar, Antarctica voyager Mahua Rauf, Iron Man Imtiaz Elahil and dance artist Pooja Sengupta.
In the ceremony, 53 young people handed over honorary crests to 53 valiant freedom fighters. Meanwhile, the freedom fighters also handed over crests and the national flag to 53 young people, giving them the great responsibility of building up Bangladesh.
Mohd. Noor Ali – the managing director and founder of Unique Group – was among the valiant freedom fighters who received honorary crests. The Business Post Acting Editor, and also Unique Group Advisor, Dr Khondaker Showkat Hossain also attended the programme.
Providing more details, speakers at the event said Aamra Ekattor is an organisation of freedom fighters and the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh.
During the rise of the Gonojagoron Mancha, several freedom fighters united under the banner of “Aamra Ekattor,” but its activities did not progress much then.
Later, during the Covid-19 crisis, Aamra Ekattor became more active, and stood by the people who lived hand to mouth during the difficult times of lockdown.
Aamra Ekattor became active again to provide food aid to hundreds of endangered families in Mohammadpur Beribadh area of Dhaka for three months with the help of well-wishers from home and abroad, and started formal activities by forming an executive council.
Engaged in various activities, Aamra Ekattor organised this first national conference on Saturday after spreading branches of this organization throughout the country.
In his welcome speech, Helal Fayezi said, “Aamra Ekattor’s journey started a few years ago in an effort to create a new awakening, with the aim to build a non-communal, humane, just and egalitarian Bangladesh, on the path of glorious past and in the spirit of 1971 Liberation War.”
“Aamra Ekattor officially started its journey Saturday. Through this ceremony, we want to hand over the responsibility of this country to the new generation. They will be the future of Bangladesh. We want a generation that is pro-freedom and liberation.”
At the event, Mohua Rouf said she dreams of building a non-communal Bangladesh. Zahid Reza Noor said work is on to ensure recognition of genocide in Bangladesh at the international level.
Senjuti Saha said, “I dream of a Bangladesh where anyone can dream of becoming a scientist. Be it a boy or a girl, whether the person is a man or a woman.”
Nishat Majumdar said, “Bangladesh was born because of the Himalayas. It should not happen that no one from Bangladesh will go to the Himalayas or touch Everest after being blessed by the Himalayas. It is our instinct to attain the unattainable. So Bangladesh means friendship.”
Among the freedom fighters honoured at the event are – Kazi Sajjad Ali Zahir (Bir Uttam), Major Wakar (Bir Protik), Harun Habib, M Hamid, Nasir Uddin Yusuf, Habibul Alam ( Bir Protik), Mofidul Haque, Major Rafique, Kazi Kamal Uddin Ekram, Zillur Rahim Dulal, Mokbul E-Elahi Moshgul, Mostofa Amin, Khairul Ahsan Khan, Anowar Hossain, Mujahidul Islam Selim, Mohammad Shah Alam, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury, Prodip Chakrabarti, Sohail Ahmed, Ruhel Ahmed Babu, Enamul Haque Khoshru, Ismat Kadir Gama, Kartik Chaterjee, Ajoy Das Gupta, Sheikh Kobir Ahmed, Osman Gani, Pijush Bondopaddhay, Mominullah Patowary, Dr Amjad Hossain, Abdur Rouf, Abdul Gani, Rofiqul Islam, Md Nooruddin Mintoo, Dr Dipa Islam, Mizanur Rahman Khan (Bir Protik), Mahbub Elahi (Bir Protik), Mojammel Haque (Bir Protik, Sector-2), Md Abul Hayat Miya Hedayet (Sector-2), Enamul Haque Chowdhury Khoshru (Sector-2), Borhan Uddin Mithu (Sector-2), Abu Akkash (Mortar Man), Md Rafiqul Alam (Sector-9), Samad Shikder, Dr Fawzia Moslem, Dil Afroz Begum, Rokeya Kabir, Lokkhi Chaterjee, Nasimun Ara Haq Minu, Anowar Zahid, ASM Sobur, Abul Kalam Azad, Enayet Hossain, Shaymol Shingho Roy, Abdus Samad Pintu, and Saidul Islam.
The first session of the conference ended with the concluding speech from Aamra Ekattor Chairperson and valiant freedom fighter Mahbub Zaman at 1:30pm on Saturday. The same afternoon, an organisational committee was formed for Aamra Ekattor.
