Speakers at a function yesterday laid emphasis on formulating policies to reduce gap between poor and rich, one of the goals which had inspired the Bangalis during the independence movement.
They were speaking at the launching of a book: “From Two Economies to Two Nations: My Journey to Bangladesh,” written by Prof Rehman Sobhan.
Economists and politicians who attended the function lamented that instead of easing economic inequality, the problem has deepened over the years in independent Bangladesh.
The launching was organised by The Daily Star, publisher of the book which was a selected compilation of the author’s publications during the turbulent years between 1961 and 1971.
The write-ups focused on deprivation and inequality in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, inflicted by the West Pakistani military rulers.
Discussants said Rehman Sobhan’s writings on economic disparity between East and West Pakistan helped the political leaders to formulate policy positions and pave the way for the liberation war.
“The logic on economic disparity between two parts of the then Pakistan, which was needed for the politicians came from his writings,” Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon said.
His writings inspired and helped pave the way for the liberation war, Menon said.
During the celebration of first February 21, we under the leadership of Prof Sobhan presented the economic disparities between Pakistan and West Pakistan, he added.
There are two parts in the book – Nationalism and Bangabandhu – which would come in handy to those working on the current politics and history, said Dr Rounaq Jahan, distinguished fellow of Centre for Policy Dialogue.
“I do not know how much today’s political leaders appreciate his writings, which was done by the political leaders of 60s,” she said.
He was writing on disparity about two economies and regional disparity of economy, which reflected the real picture of deprivation, she added.
“When any national issue arose in the past half century, Prof Sobhan raised his voice and talked for justice and contributed invaluably to the national conversation,” said Gowher Rizvi, International Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Prof Sobhan wrote against exploitation, communalism and corruption, eminent lawyer Dr Kamal Hossain said.
The book provides a sequential narrative which blends economic analysis with journalistic reportage of important historical events, and can be read both as a history of events as well as of ideas, which culminated in the emergence of an independent Bangladesh.
The book provides an intellectual history of Prof Sobhan’s participation in the debates on what was then defined as the two economies dividing Pakistan and the consequential economic deprivation of the Bengalis.
These writings of his were influential in shaping political debates of the time which culminated in the presentation of the 6 points agenda of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the ensuing movement for independence.
It also provides reportage on the historic political struggles which were proved by the denial of democratic rights to the Bengalis, and its culmination in the war of national liberation.
The concluding section retrospectively reviews the economic basis of Bangladeshi nationalism and the catalytic role of Bangabandhu in the birth of an independent Bangladesh.
MM Akash, professor of Dhaka University in the department of Economics, Advocate Sultana Kamal, Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, emeritus professor of Dhaka University, and Nazneen Ahmed of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies also spoke at the ceremony.
