AFVOA Newsletter May 2020

Section 3 - Memoirs Newsletter No. 1 / 2020 P a g e 64 | 101 Tour of Banglabandhu Memorial and Public Reception The next day we were escorted on a conducted tour of Sheik Mujib ur Rehman’s, BanglabandhuMemorial, which was his house when he had been gunned down with his family in 1976. It was a memorable visit and we were conducted by Lt Col (Retd) Quazi Sajjad; Bir Protik, Swadhinata Padak, himself. Everything has been well preserved in a calm and serene environment. We were indeed honored by the show of respect to veterans of the Indian Army of 1971. The memorial was just awesome. Later in the day, we were accorded a public reception by the Indo Bangla Friendship Forum at The Westin Hotel. Many dignitaries from the Government and Corporates, were present. Each one of us in the delegation including widows, were called up and honored. We were made to feel that we were the ones who were responsible for the great victory of 1971!! After this event, we were taken on a short trip to see Parliament House, Shahid Minar and Dacca University. The city was very crowded, mainly due to having undertaken several expressways and metro projects at the same time. The next day was set aside for shopping. What’s Dacca known for? Well Dacca cotton saris are well known, as are leather goods especially ladies’ handbags. Those who like fish, can carry frozen Hilsa back to India, specially packed to go through customs at the airport. This wonderful trip had to come to an end. All of us who had fought the war 50 years ago, were astounded by the show of respect by all Bangladeshies to Veterans of 1971. Wherever we went, they went out of their way to make us feel at home. For us to make this trip, especially with our then CO’s wife and the team who were part of 4 Engineer Regiment in those tumultuous times, was indeed memorable and nostalgic. Our wives and Mrs Shashi Singh could now feel and see what we had gone through, and what this tiny country Bangladesh had achieved. It is indeed etched deep in our minds now.