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Book review

Baloker Chokhe Dekha Ekattor

(Seventy one in the eyes of a boy) by Abdul Hasib.

Date of publication : December 2009. Publisher : Ittadi Grontho Prokash, Computer Complex Market, 38/3, Banglabazar, Dhaka. Compose : Purbasha Computer: Printing: New S.R. Printing Press, 34, Srish Das Lane, Dhaka, Cover Design : Azhar Bin Forhad. Price : Taka-100/- War of Liberation of Bangladesh, 1971 is the hall-mark in the history of Bangladesh. Abdul Hasib was simply a boy aged about nine years only who watched or heard every bloody event that culminated with horrendous activities of the cruelest military junta of Pakistan basically occupied the then East Pakistan in 1971 betraying the causes of the region socially, politically and economically. The area where this lone boy had his inquisitive eyes on every acts of barbaric torture perpetrated on the innocent Bengali civilians and other so-called suspects was Bianibazar Upazela of Sylhet district in Bangladesh. This book covered some horrible accounts of despicable character of beastly militarist behaviour in killing women after raping. This shame of modern warfare supersedes all other oldest warfare in the history of the world. Abdul Hasib tried to give accounts of what he could see in his own eyes in those days within the vicinity of his village and its surroundings as well as Bianibazar military camp on the Dak-Banglow hillock and other hillock areas nearby in details. Everywhere while describing and narrating the circumstances along with the vilest activities of the Pak-military hordes and their local collaborators viz. Razakars and Al-Badars, he became, to some extent, emotional. His partisan outlook as an Awami League party supporter or worker, as the case might be, appears to be keen and acute. Nonetheless he upheld the truth courageously all through his '75-page book, '71 in the eyes of a boy'. It is absolutely appreciable. He dedicated this book as saying-. "Dedicated to those who laid down their lives for the defense of the motherland and achievement of our Independence; and I owe acknowledgement to the dearest but my sacred memoirs." While analysing some religious thoughts Abdul Hasib took some relevant references from the books that he acknowledge at the end of the book properly. At the same time if there is any wrong herein unknowingly he asked his readers to exonerate him in the beauty of their eyes. I read the book thoroughly for such review and found some mistakes in Bengali words which should be mended in the next edition. I think this book will open the eyes of the ensuing generation to learn about the tragic history of Bangladesh and of its heroic people who faced the onslaught of the alien barbaric military forces of evil spirits undauntedly. Thanks Abdul Hasib for presenting his memoirs to us as well as the coming generation worth of the price that cannot be paid. This book can be added to the list of relevant books on our great Liberation War. -M. Mizanur Rahman