A book entitled “Bittersweet Victory: A Freedom Fighter’s Tale” written by A Qayyum Khan was unveiled at Bangla Academy on Sunday.
Published by Press Limited, the book combines personal recollections, key historical events, and commentary – in lucid and simple language. The launch ceremony of the book took place at Abdul Karim Shahityabisharad Milonayatan, at the city’s Bangla Academy.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Mohammad Ziauddin, Bir Uttam, Commander of 1 East Bengal during the Liberation War, was present at the ceremony as the guest of honour.
Indian High Commissioner Pankaj Saran attended the event as a special guest.
The event included a discussion on the book conducted by Afsan Chowdhury.
Among others, Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, former ambassador Mahboob Alam and Professor Kaiser Haq, were present.
In the book, Pakistan’s history leading up to 1971 is described through the eyes of a young student. A first-hand description of the crackdown recounts how the author and his family coped with the Pakistan army’s brutality.
There is a fairly elaborate description of the early days of the Mukti Bahini, its trials and tribulations and how ordinary civilians were turned into guerilla fighters in a matter of weeks. The memoir ends with the difficulties faced by the new republic.
A Qayyum Khan joined the Liberation War and fought under Sector 7 as a second lieutenant.
