Excellence of Patience and Gratefulness: Salute to the Heroes and Soldiers

In line with the symbolic picture is one of the realities of life that most people do not feel by heart.

They also do not believe that life is one and it must be meaningful without regret.

However, following a long political and security upheavals in Bangladesh, we are heading towards “Remaking a new Bangladesh” as post Parliamentary Election held on 12 February 2026.

I am observing with high alarm that nowadays we mostly remain busy to insult others without finding slight credits even.

Therefore, ignoring some criticism, I like to start at the outset by expressing gratitude to the Interim Government led by Dr. Mohammed Yunus- only Peace Nobel Laureate of Bangladesh and a renowned economist in the world.

In the team of Dr Yunus, there were three ex-military (Retd) professionals namely Brigadier General Dr M Sakhawat Hussain, Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Lieutenant General Abdul Hafiz. All ex-soldiers were simple-living, honest and professional as I observed.

Therefore, I salute all those heroes and soldiers who worked with honesty and with utmost dedications.

Whatever, they could, they did without looking for their self-interest. I personally know them and I saw them from different capacities of my life.

I do so, because I am finding now people are forgetting to appreciate others and are failing to express gratefulness or gratitude to others.

There may be criticism for their abilities, talent and inabilities. In the era of so much information, misinformation and fake information most of the issues remain unclear.

That is why some scholars and academicians coin that we are now living in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) world. For Bangladesh, as I feel, it is more dangerous.

And at this stage of my life, I fully agree with Doctor Akbar Ali Khan who says, “One of the recurrent themes of the study is that grass-root institutions in Bangladesh region had been historically weak.

This implies that local governments in this region were never well-organized.

He echoed with the statement of a Professor of Michigan University-Lawrence Ziring who described Bangladesh as an “anachronism within anachronism” and warned that the real Bangladesh is yet to emerge.

They, along with many scholars pointed out that emergence of Bangladesh were the reactions to a few past mistakes. I believe that the similar history of 1971 was repeated in the July/August 2024.

Now, let’s talk about our aspirations on future leaders after election of 12/2 this year.

Historical experience of Bangladesh shows that its democracy struggled with the standard of honesty, integrity and accountability.

Bangladesh seriously aspires for the leaders who are morally upright, and worthy of public trust.

Through an extra-ordinary political turmoil, Major General Ziaur Rahman a valiant freedom fighter, both sector and Z Force Commander of Liberation War, had to take over Bangladesh.

His fateful assassination incidentally assassinated the dream of Bangladesh.

From the history, it is found that Harry S. Truman (one of the US presidents) is often portrayed as an “honest president”.

Truman was a different kind of President because the only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Missouri.

His wife had inherited the house from her parents. Like Truman, General Zia was known for his plain living, decisiveness, and commitment to national duty.

The qualities of both the presidents strengthened public trust and distinguished them from many of their contemporaries, reinforcing the idea that integrity in leadership is as important as strategic or military strength.

However, Bangladesh is unfortunate as it could not utilize an outstanding professional, brave, dynamic and honest president like General Zia.

The 12/2 election event can be considered an “Acid Test” for both the Bangladesh Army and the interim government in terms of ensuring credibility.

I again salute to soldiers (my old comrades) who made us proud again. As a political figure, the only son of a great soldier (General Zia), Mr Tareque Rahman’s strengths lie in his association with a prominent political party, his capacity to mobilize people at the grassroots level, and his capability to unify people in his own support base.

If he tries to establish cooperation between parties, adhere to democratic principles, and ensure economic stability in the country, it will be a positive decision on his part.

However, if he fails to take caution in these matters, it might lead to a number of negative consequences.

Similarly, if he misinterprets public sentiment or underestimates opposition alliances, it might create a sense of instability in the country.

Therefore, it becomes imperative to strike a balance between civil and military forces in politics.

Because civil-society is the mainstream and the military is value based, mission-oriented and dynamic for people’s accomplishment.

Above all we all need to have patience (Sabr) which we were devoid of since its inception.

People of Bangladesh, Muslim majority country should remember a divine verse of the holy Quran- “Be patient and persevere, for Allah is with those who patiently persevere” (8/46).

Again, it is important to take proper security measures to ensure honourable Prime Minister’s safety without appearing to be distant from the people.

Because we soldiers have unconditional love for the country and its leaders for “Long Live Bangladesh with Honour and Pride. Let us hope for the best.”

(The writer is Registrar of
Primeasia University)