Eminent economist Professor Rehman Sobhan described the independence movement and Liberation War as the story of an entire generation of young men and women, who saw their dreams fulfilled with the independence of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971.
“The narrative which provides the background for our presence here was written as my story in the book. What I refer to as the years of fulfillment were really a sense of fulfillment achieved by a generation. My personal narration has been put together in the book, which is presented for the next generation and those who want to know where Bangladesh originated from and to understand how we came into existence.”
Prof Sobhan was making his introductory remarks at a discussion on his memoir “Untranquil Recollections: The Years of Fulfillment” at Brac Centre Inn in Dhaka yesterday.
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) organised the event, moderated by CPD Distinguished Fellow Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya. The book was launched in Dhaka at the Dhaka Lit Fest in November 2015, and has recently been launched in Delhi and Kolkata.
“I do not flatter myself in regarding my story, as I tell it here, as history, because so many other renowned persons have also written stories of that period. The issue, of course, is I was not in a position to do that. So, I see my presentation as a personal rumination on our times, our hopes, and our dreams,” Prof Sobhan explained at the discussion.
He pointed out that even though “we are now almost 50 years into our independence, we are still left with little more than a series of ‘my stories.’ There is no definitive history of Bangladesh, which could bring together the personal narratives of the many who participated in it into one comprehensive account.”
Taking part at the discussion, eminent lawyer and president of Gano Forum Dr Kamal Hossain said that a discussion should be organised at an open place so that the young generation could learn about the true history of the nation and the role played by the youth of the time and that which could be played by the youth of today.
Dr Kamal said that the book was very precious for the nation as it could play an exceptional role for forging unity among the people.
“National unity was established during the turbulent time of the nation, as students, politicians and teachers of that time were united for the cause of the people – the centre of the power,” he said.
Senior BNP leader and lawyer Moudud Ahmed pointed out that Prof Rehman Sobhan came from an elite family but settled in Dhaka and worked for the national aspirations of the people. “This is the reflection of his high mentality and deep love towards the people of the country. He has set an example for others by settling in Bangladesh.”
Moudud said that the writer was a political economist as he was very much involved in politics, but did want not to become a politician. “I think this is an unfinished book. I hope that there will be another to describe the events of the post-independent Bangladesh. Let us know why a party which did not believe in social transformation relied on socialism,” he added.
Dhaka University teacher Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam was intrigued as to how a man with Prof Sobhan’s ancestral heritage should come to make the choices he did and end up where he had ended up, as a teacher at Dhaka University and architect of the economic case for Bangali self-determination. “But it is not fate that brought him to Dhaka but his personal choice, which is very important as his choice led him to create a personal history, which is also a nation’s history."
Brac Institute of Governance and Development Executive Director Dr Sultan Hafeez Rahman said that the book was not just about politics and economics.
“It was a very human story, told in a profoundly human way. It was about injustice. It was really a story of the national struggle of the Bangalis to free themselves from colonial domination and supremacy.”
“So much of the book was about Prof Rehman Sobhan, the man,” he added.
Prime Minister’s Adviser Prof Dr Gowher Rizvi described the book as an extraordinary one. “In total reality, the book provides us with a very authentic picture of the critical time of Bangladesh.”
CPD Distinguished Fellow Prof Rounaq Jahan said: “When we teach students in a foreign country, we have to show them documentaries that help them in becoming attentive as they often remain indifferent to mere statistics and data. From this point of view, I think this book will work well if it is included in the curriculum of the universities as it gives a political picture and social picture as well.”
Prof Mustafizur Rahman, the CPD executive director, Dhaka University teacher MM Akash, former finance minister M Syeduzzaman, and former foreign secretary and BNP vice-chairman Shamsher Mubin Chowdhury were among others who took part in the discussion.