BANGLADESH NEWS
In the past month, Shahbagh has been transformed, literally and
metaphorically, into a polyphonic “glorious garden”. It is fitting that
we have seen the birth of our “Bangla Spring” here, within the large
radius of the University of Dhaka campus, in front of the vibrant flower
stalls opposite the National Museum. This Falgun will become part of
our national consciousness – the memory of this event will be carried
forward into history in inspiring song and hopeful revolutionary
declamations for change and renewal. New leaders are emerging. New
voices are leading this generation.
We, who belong to the earlier generation, proud graduates of Dhaka
University born in the forties and fifties, have a vision of national
identity, driven by passion for our land, for our people and the Bangla
language. We continually struggle to uphold the pride and defend the
integrity of our nation. Now, as teachers and public servants who are
near the end of term of service, it is heartening to see the light of
our vision held aloft by the invigorated youth of today. Change is
constant in the nature of all things upon this earth, especially in a
world defined by boundaries and mortality. The old order yields to the
new, time after time, generation after generation. I salute and welcome
the new voices, harbingers of good fortune and dedicated service in the
harsh journey forward.
The new generation, however, must rekindle its own torch to light the
path forward to richer, more just and equitable society. We are proud of
our secular tradition, of tolerance of all races and religions, caste
and communities. Our fertile Gangetic delta, with its lush paddy fields,
its meandering plain of graceful talented brown and fair people, is a
dynamic, throbbing nexus of many cultures, inviting cohesion and
acculturation. Like the cyclical ebb and flow of tidal waves on the
shores of the mighty Bay of Bengal, the blood of East Bengal has been
enriched by the succeeding centuries of civilising codes: the laws and
beliefs, the literature and language and music, of the Pals, the Sens,
the Arabs, the Persians, the Greeks, the Portuguese, the Turks, the
Chinese, and the English. We are a tough resilient people, with passion
and poetry in our hearts. By nature and the genetic code seeded into the
clay of this fertile green confluence of invaders and traders, we have
not become warriors of battle and blood and gore. We are makers of art
and artifacts, with shining eyes, elastic minds, and plastic hands. We
are artists and artisans; we are growers of jute and silk and sustaining
crops; we are fisher-folk; we are skilled weavers and potters and
goldsmiths; we are singers and dancers and musicians and wordsmiths all.
Versatile and free-spirited – this is our native tradition and glorious
heritage.
I call upon the new leaders to lead us with this heritage and honour in
the next forty years. I call upon them to take the helm of this nation
in their fist and navigate a course into clearer waters. Young men and
women, pilots and navigators equally, we have shared our knowledge and
our love of this land with you, in the intimacy of the classrooms and
among the tall trees in the wide green spaces of Dhaka University. Many
of our own gurus and guides are still with us, bestowing still upon us
the light of their wisdom and idealism. Youngblood Bangalee men and
women, I call upon you to look brightly upon the rising sun and chart a
course towards the shining light of the awakening day. I call upon you
to find a clear direction, uniting good faith and good counsel with the
ethical values of democracy and liberal humanism. Culturally,
communally, nationally, we have always cultivated the fine arts. Now,
prove to us and to the whole world that you will cohere and perform
better than the previous generation in global diplomacy and
nation-building.
Cultivate, now, for your people and for your society, the even finer
policies of stability and progress. Cultivate the harmony and health of
our nation. Lead, by example, step upon step, with struggle for good
governance: of civic goals of universal adult literacy, affordable
public health benefits for all, and decent minimum wage without
disparity between genders. Above all, for the lifeblood of our nation,
seek collective connection: build bridges and protect the ecological
balance, not only of the capital city, but of the whole country.
Deforestation and denudation must stop now. Let the fresh water of the
clogged rivers flow clean and swift to the Bay of Bengal once more. Let
new rainfall drench this land to usher rebirth.
Let us grow strong, and let our people carry their heads high in pride
as they toil hard days and nights all over this earth. Let the wandering
tribe of the Bangladeshi people – children of the Diaspora— sing
joyfully of their distant homeland. Let the children salute you in
future gain and glory.
No comments:
Post a Comment