Being Soi: May 2010

Sam Manekshaw
Sam Manekshaw, the first Field Marshal of Indian defense forces and hero of the conclusive 1971 war with Pakistan,
which culminated in the creation of ‘Bangladesh’, died just past midnight on Friday at the age of 94.
Born to Parsee parents on 3rd April 1914 at Amritsar, he was one of the 40 cadets of the first batch to join the Indian
Military Academy in Dehradun in 1932. His distinguished military carrier spanned four decades, from World War II,
to the 1948 war in Kashmir and the 1965 war with Pakistan, 1962 war with China, and finally the 1971 war with Pakistan.
He was made General Officer Commanding (Army chief) of the Indian Army on 7th June 1969, and was conferred the
‘Field Marshal’ designation on 3rd January’1973, just before his retirement on 15th January’1973.
apart from winning many military laurels, he was awarded ‘Padma Bhusan’ in 1968 for tackling the Naga insurgency
as GOC-in-C of Eastern Command and Padma Bibhushan in 1972 for his success in 1971 war.
Manekshaw became a folk hero after 1971 war, which resulted in the surrender of five divisions (90,000 soldiers)
of the Pakistani Army at Dhaka on 16th December’1971. Field operations in the eastern sector were commanded by
GOC-in-C of Eastern Command, Lt.General Jagjit Singh Arora, who in a swift maneuver outwitted the Pakistani Army
by destroying its two F-16 Sabre Jet squadrons stationed in Dhaka, in a matter of three days.
The war was over in just two weeks. Lt. General A.A.K. Niazi, commanding officer of Pakistani forces,
signed the surrender papers in a brief ceremony.

William AS Ouderland
was a Dutch Australian commando officer.
He actively took part in the World War II and the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Later, he was awarded with the fourth highest gallantry award, Bir Pratik by the government of Bangladesh.
He is the only foreigner to receive this honorary award.
Ouderland came to Dhaka in 1970 as the Production Manager of the Bata Shoe Company.
During the earlier half of 1971, Ouderland was appointed as the Executive Director of the company in Tongi, Dhaka.
On 25 March 1971, rising political discontent and cultural nationalism in East Pakistan was met by brutal
suppressive force from the ruling elite of the West Pakistan establishment in what came to be termed Operation Searchlight.
He was moved by the killings of the Pakistan Army on 25 March and took photos which he sent to the international media.
A war between the West Pakistan Army and guerrilla force, the Mukti Bahini, started immediately.Guerrilla operations,
which slacked during the training phase, picked up after August. Economic and Military targets in Dhaka were attacked.
Ouderland organized the guerrilla warfare in Dhaka. He built a friendly relationship with 22nd Baluch Regiment captain
Sultan Newaz and penetrated into Dhaka cantonment. Subsequently he created close relation with Governor General Tikka Khan
and Adviser Civil Affairs Major General Rao Forman Ali. He became a "Distinguished Friend" of A. A. K. Niazi at the
headquarters of Eastern Command and managed a security pass to contact with them frequently. Besides Ouderland continued
gathering information for the Mukti Bahini and sent it to Major ATM Haider of Sector-2 and Ziaur Rahman.
Inside his office of the Bata Company in Tongi, Ouderland organized and trained the guerrilla fighters of Mukti Bahini.
He planned and directed a number of guerrilla operations in Dhaka and nearby areas. He provided the fighters with food
and medicine and often gave them shelter.

Balu Sankaran
Balu Sankaran is a Professor, scientist and recipient of Padma Shri and Padma Vibushan awards.
He helped establish an artificial limbs manufacturing corporation and a Rehabilatation Institute.
He received Padma Shri award in 1972 for the trauma care and rehabilitation provided to soldiers injured
in 1971 Bangladesh war, while stationed at Safdarjung Hospital. He also received Padma Vibushan award for medicine in
year 2007.

Simon Dring
To conceal what they were doing, the Pakistan Army corralled the corps of foreign journalists at the International Hotel
in Dhaka, seized their notes, and expelled them the next day. One reporter who escaped the censor, was Simon dring who
net estimated that three battalions of troops--one armored, one artillery, and one infantry--had attacked the virtually defenseless city. Various informants, including missionaries and foreign journalists who clandestinely returned to East Pakistan during the war, estimated that by March 28 the loss of life reached 15,000. By the end of summer as many as 300,000 people were thought
to have lost their lives. Anthony Mascarenhas in Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood estimates that during the entire nine-month
liberation struggle more than 1 million Bengalis may have died at the hands of the Pakistan Army.

Ravi Shankar
Ravi Shankar requested that they should try to raise $25,000 (25 Thousand) for the UNICEF fund to help the Bengali
refuges who took shelter in India. After hearing the details about the loss of life and the liberation war of the
common people then George Harrison stated that they must try to do something bigger than that.
Thus the first concert for world humanity took place on 1 August 1971 at Madison Square Garden.
Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, and Bob Dylan- these great superstars took part in this concert.
I have gone through the history of rock music and I must say that we cant find any concert before ‘Concert for Bangladesh’
that included so many great talents in one stage.
Ravi Shankar presented the brilliant raga called "Bangla Dhun" with his excellent skill of sitar and other
Indian instruments. Bob Dylan came back to sing after a long self imposed isolation from music.
George Harrison sang some of his hit songs, but it was the last song, titled ‘Bangladesh’, that
created a somber atmosphere as it was an appeal to help mission of helpless people in dire distress.
At that time, India was a close ally of Soviet Union while Pakistan was the closest friend of USA in South Asia.
Thus the US Government remained silent about the genocide and tried to treat it as a civil war not as a liberation war.
Naturally the other US allies remained passive about this matter too. However, the Bangladesh cause received wide support
from the western media, the intellectuals, political leaders and the common people. And George Harrison played a pivotal
role in creating public awareness for this cause through ‘The Concert for Bangladesh’.
Pandit Ravi Shankar had close relationship to Bangladesh and he informed George Harrison about the Liberation War of
Bangladesh and suggested that they try to do something for the Bangladeshi people. Thus the first concert for world
humanity happened.

GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC LEADERS
Neighboring India opened its borders to allow huge influx of refugees who had to flee to escape systemic genocide
and destruction. In spite of colossal economic burden, government of India organized shelters for estimated 10 million
refuges in make shift refugee camps, gave food and medical aids. Some national and international Aid Agencies assisted.
Government also helped in training of freedom fighters and gave logistic support. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi toured
major world capitals in support of Bangladesh cause and for resolution of the human crisis. After Pakistan army attacked its western part, government of India on 4th December 1971 gave recognition to government of Bangladesh and Indian Army in
allied command with Mukti Bahini started final assault and on 16th December Pakistan Army surrendered to this allied command.
According Indian government sources 1421 Indian Army personnel were killed in operation.
Indian Political parties of all shades and opinion and people in general have been highly supportive of Bangladesh
liberation war. Intellectuals and professionals campaigned for the cause. Cultural personalities throughout India
organized programmes and even demonstrated in the streets.

Soviet Union and Socialist Countries: In polarized world in seventies, Soviet Union and other Socialist countries played
critical role in favour of Bangladesh independence struggle. In early days of liberation war on 3rd April,
President Podgorny in a letter to President Yahya Khan expressed concern for tragic events in East Pakistan and
arrest of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Following Indira Gandhi's visit to Soviet Union, Indo-Soviet treaty was signed on
7th August declaring readiness to protect each other's sovereignty. In December 1971 when allied command was marching
towards capital Dhaka, Soviet Union repeatedly vetoed move by United States in UN Security Council, to ensure final
victory on 16th December.

United States: Nixon administration never condemned mass killing and destruction, rather supported evil designs of Pakistani
military rulers. Declassified White House and State Department papers strongly suggest that US administration's overtures
toward Pakistani Military regime was primarily for global strategic interest to reward Pakistan for its support in developing
new US-China axis. In final days of liberation war, US seventh fleet was moved towards shores of Bay of Bengal and in United
Nation's Security Council US representatives moved repeatedIy.But in public front, there was a completely different scenario in United States.
Some Senators and congressmen took strong position in favour of Bangladesh cause.
Senator Edward Kennedy flew to visit refugee camps and condemned Pakistan atrocities in his discussion with
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, US dockworkers at Philadelphia put up human barrier against shipment of arms to Pakistan.
In a most exceptional move, 20 American officials of Dhaka consul general's office, US AID and USIS, endorsed by
Consul General Archer Blood, sent a note of dissent to State Department against policies of US administration.

China: Government of People's Republic of China supported Pakistan government. They also supported Pakistan and US
position in international forums. It is noteworthy that China was supplier of major hardwares of Pakistan army.
New US-China axis in global arena was being formulated during the period.

Non resident Bangladeshi: Bengalees from East Pakistan living in, particularly western countries organized powerful
campaign to create awareness and inform governments and public leaders of atrocities perpetrated by Pakistan military
and necessity of supporting independence of Bangladesh. They also raised fund for Bangladesh. They were largely successful
in this mission.

United Kingdom: On receipt of information of genocidal attack on 25th March, non-resident Bengalees organized protest
rallies in major cities of UK. A huge rally was held on 4th April at Hyde Park in London and memorandum was submitted to Prime Minister Edward Heath's office at 10, Dawning Street. On 24th April at a meeting held at Coventry, Steering Committee
of Bangladesh Action Committee for People's Republic of Bangladesh was formed with Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury as Chairman.
They also formed a Trust Fund with Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury, John Stone House MP and Donald Chesworth as Trustee.
Fund was sent to help refugees and support freedom fighters.

United States: On 21st March 1971, East Pakistan League of America was renamed as Bangladesh League of America.
A huge rally was held on 29th March at pavement of Capital Hill in Washington DC. Memorandum was submitted to
President Nixon and UN Secretary General U Thant. They sent letters to all leading Senators and Congressmen presenting
Pakistan atrocities and for supporting independence of Bangladesh. Funds were collected and sent to support liberation war. They also regularly published Newsletters on updated informations of liberation war of 22 Bengalee diplomats working in Pakistan Embassy defected expressing allegiance to Bangladesh government with.

ROLE OF MEDIA
Print and Electronic media world over have been highly supportive of Bangladesh liberation war.
Western media, in particular, continued to cover horrifying stories of Pakistan atrocities, plight of refugees and
armed resistance by Mukti Bahini.
In March '71 many journalists of leading newspapers rushed to Dhaka to cover Yahya-Bhutto-Mujib negotiation.
They were forcibly moved out of Dhaka after start of genocide in 25th March. But brave journalist like Simon Dring hid
himself in Hotel Intercontinental (Now Hotel Sheraton) laundry and was first to inform world of tragic events in Daily
Telegraph, UK.
BBC, Voice of America, German TV, and All India Radio covered events almost daily. International media played all-important
role in influencing respective government and public leaders to take stand against Pakistan genocide in favor of Bangladesh
independence.

Bangladesh government started running "Swadhin Bangla Beter Kendra" (Independent Bangladesh Radio Station) and its
features and songs enthused people of in refugee camps, freedom fighters and those stranded in occupied country. Number
of news bulletins were published in different regions of Bangladesh.

ROLE OF CULTURAL ACTIVITE
Starting from language movement of 1952, cultural movement has been integral part of national struggle.
In 1971 liberation war, cultural activists from Bangladesh organized number of programmes in occupied territory,
refugee camps and Indian cities.
Cultural personalities world over played significant supportive role in campaigning for Bangladesh cause.
Pandit Rabisankar, Akbar Ali Khan and popular Beatle artists George Harrison organized fund raising "Concert for Bangladesh"
at Madison Square on 1st August in New York that attracted huge crowd.
In November, "Concert in Sympathy" was held at seven cities in United Kingdom participated by artists from Bangladesh,
India and Great Britain. Leading Indian artists like Lata Mangeskar, Waheeda Rahman and Sharmila Thakur organized concert "Strings and Stars - A cry for help" for raising fund for Bangladesh independence. In West Bengal, intellectuals and
musicians e g. Tarasankar Bendopodhya, Dipen Mukhopodhya, Suchitra Mitra consistently fought for liberation war through
writings and musical soirees. Great French philosopher Andre Malraux, inspite of his old age declared his readiness
to join Bangladesh liberation war. American poet Allen Ginsberg visited refugee camps and wrote his famous poem
"September on Jessore Road".

ROLE OF WOMEN
Women, particularly students, were in the forefront of national struggle from early fifties.
They played heroic role in every struggle for democracy and national rights in Pakistan days lead by personalities
ike poet Sufia Kamal.
Women were the worst victims of atrocities.
During liberation war of 1971, women were not only just rape victims of Pakistan army.
Brave women throughout the country defied torture and death to give shelter to freedom fighters;
treated wounded freedom fighters as doctor and nurses and took arms training in special "Gobra camp"
and fought in war front. Some of these women received gallantry awards for their heroism.

Articles on 1971 War
>> Against Our Will : Men, Women and Rape
>> By: Susan Brownmiller

Indira Gandhi's Indian Army had successfully routed the West Pakistanis and had abruptly concluded the war in Bangladesh when
small stories hinting at mass rape of Bengali women began to appearin American newspapers. The first account I read, from the Los Angeles Times syndicated service, appeared in the New York Post afew days before Christmas, 1971. It reported that the Bangladesh Government of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in recognition of the sufferings of Bengali women at the hands of Pakistani soldiers, had proclaimed all raped women "heroines" of the war of independence. Further on in the story came this ominous sentence: "In the traditional Bengali village society, where women lead cloistered lives, rape
victims often are ostracised."
Two days after Christmas a more explicit story, by war correspondent Joseph Fried, appeared in the New York Daily News, datelines Jessore. Fried described the reappearance of young Bengali women on the city streets after an absence of nine months. Some had been packed off to live with relatives in the countryside and others had gone into hiding. "The precautions," he
wrote, "proved wise, if not always effective."

[NBC's Liz Trotta was one of the few
American reporters to investigate the Bangladesh rape story at this
time. She filed a TV report for the weekend news.]

In the middle of January the story gained sudden credence. An Asian relief secretary for the World Council of Churches called a press conference in Geneva to discuss his two-week mission to Bangladesh. The Reverend Kentaro Buma reported that more that 200,000 Bengali women had been raped by Pakistani soldiers during the nine-month conflict, a figure that had been supplied to him by the Bangladesh authorities in Dacca. Thousands of the raped women had become pregnant, he said. And by tradition, to Moslem husband would take back a wife who had been touched by another man, even if she had been subdued by force. "The new authorities of Bangladesh are trying their best to break that tradition," Buma informed the newsmen. "They tell the husbands the women were victims and must be considered national heroines. Some men have taken their spouses back home , but these are very, very few."
A story that most reporters couldn't find in Bangladesh was carriedby AP and UPI under a Geneva dateline. Boiled down to four
paragraphs, it even made The New York Times.
Families with money were able to send their daughters to expert abortionists in Calcutta, but shame and self-loathing and lack of
alternatives led to fearsome, irrational solutions in the rural villages. Dr. Geoffrey Davis of the London-based International
Abortion Research and Training Centre who worked for months in the remote countryside of Bangladesh reported that he had heard of "countless" incidents of suicide and infanticide during his travels. Rat poison and drowning were the available means. Davis also estimated that five thousand women had managed to abort themselves by
various indigenous methods, with attendant medical complications. A Catholic convent in Calcutta, Mother Theresa, opened its doors in Dacca to women who were willing to offer their babies for overseas, but despite the publicity accorded to Mother Theresa, few rape victims actually came to their shelter. Those who learned of the option chose to have an abortion. Planned Parenthood, in co-operation with the newly created Bangladesh Central Organisation for Women's Rehabilitation, set up clinics in Dacca and seventeen outlying areas to cope with the unwanted pregnancies. In its first
month of operation the Dacca clinic alone reported doing more than one hundred terminations.

But the mass rape of Bangladesh had not been unique. The number of rapes per capita during the nine-month occupation of Bangladesh hadbeen no greater than the incidence of rape during the occupation in
the city of Nanking in 1937. No greater than the per capita incidence of rape in Belgium and France as the German Army marched unchecked during the first three months of World War I, No greater than the violation of women in every village in Soviet Russia in World War II. A "campaign of terror" and a charge of "conscious Army policy" had been offered up in explanation by seekers of rational answers in those wars as well, and later forgotten. The story of Bangladesh was unique in one respect. For the first time in history the rape of women in war, and the complex aftermath of mass assault, received serious international attention. The desperate need of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's government for international sympathy and financial aid was part of the reason; a new feminist consciousness that encompassed rape as a political issue and a growing, practical acceptance of abortion as a solution to unwanted pregnancy were contributing factors of critical importance. And so an obscure war in an obscure corner of the globe, to Western eyes, provided the setting for an examination of the "unspeakable" crime. For once, the particular terror of unarmed women facing armed men had a full hearing.

Bengal was a state of 75 millions people, officially East Pakistan, when the Bangladesh Government declared its independence in March of 1971 with the support of India. Troops from West Pakistan were flown to the East to put down the rebellion. During the nine-month terror, terminated by the two week armed intervention of India, a possible three million people lost their lives, ten millions fled across the border to India and 200,000, 300,000 or possible 400,000 women (three sets of statistics have been variously quoted) were raped. Eighty percent of the raped women were Moslems, reflecting the
population of Bangladesh, but Hindu and Christian women were not exempt. Hit-and-run rape of large numbers of Bengali women was brutally simple in terms of logistics as the Pakistani regulars swept through and occupied the tiny, populous land, an area little larger than the State of New York. The Mukti Bahini "freedom fighters" were hardly an effective counter force. According to victims, Moslem Biharis who collaborated with the Pakistani Army - the hireling razakars - were the most enthusiastic rapists. In the general breakdown of law and order, Mukti Bahini themselves committed rape, a situation reminiscent of World War II when Greek and Italian peasant women became victims of whatever soldiers happened to pass through their
village.

- compilation of different information collected through internet....

Soi

Being Soi

May 25, 2010

...jo Barse boonDh boondDh...

May 14, 2010

Foreign People - Attached and involved in helping Bangladesh during The 1971 Liberation War

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