Chinmay Prasun Biswas :
Victory is a very familiar word to us. Everybody wants victory in personal, social, official, educational sectors of life. A country expects victory in national, international and financial matters but what victory actually is? Etymologically, Latin word vincere is the root word for victory.
In Latin Victoria is used as the feminine form of victor. In Roman mythology, Victoria was the goddess of victory, similar to Greek goddess Nike.
In Greek mythology, Nike the goddess personifies victory in any field including art, music, war and athletics. Literally, victory means overcoming of an enemy or antagonist, achievement of success in a struggle or endeavour against difficulties, triumph over an enemy in war, final and complete superiority in a contest or struggle over an opponent, obstacle or problem. Simply speaking, victory means win.
According to Greek mythology Nike was a two-winged goddess. Probably for this reason victory-sign is shown with two fingers (middle and index) up that looks like English letter ‘V’ meaning victory.
History informs that during the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 an English soldier used this technique as a way of taunting the French.
During World War II British Prime Minister Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill particularly used this sign.
Even in our country this sign is shown by many politicians and others particularly during any type of election.
In terms of human emotion victory accompanies strong feelings of delight.
16th December is such a day of delight for the people of Bangladesh.
On 25th March, 1971 the Pakistani army started Operation Searchlight in Bangladesh for which the people of Bangladesh was not at all prepared.
Police was the initial target but members of police force made the first resistance at Rajarbagh Police Lines. Gradually an unorganised war against a well-trained army took an organised shape.
After a bloody battle of 9 months (as normally said but actually 8 months and 23 days) final military victory was achieved in December, 1971. The Pakistani occupation army surrendered to Bangladesh India Joint Command on that 16th December, 1971.
It is not clear whether any victory sign was shown then but issuing a notification on 22nd January, 1972 that day, i.e., 16th December was officially declared as Victory Day.
Explicit or implicit, in any war there exists one (or more) spirit that inspires the fighters. Liberation War of Bangladesh was held in 1971 but the seeds were sown just after partition of British India in 1947.
Language Movement of 1952 was the beginning. Initially the spirit was to establish the right of mother language which was achieved within a few years.
Final victory came on 16th December, 1971 but it is beyond doubt that most (not 51% but more than 99%) of the people of Bangladesh have no clear or hazy idea about spirit of victory.
The words spirit of victory or spirit of liberation are frequently uttered by many persons inside or outside government but it has never been clarified officially or in any other way by any government, political party or organisation even after 52 years of victory. So, it is certainly difficult to define the spirit of victory but preamble to our constitution may be taken for a basis.
The preamble says –
We, the people of Bangladesh, ———- pledging that the high ideals of nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism, which inspired our heroic people to dedicate themselves to and our brave martyrs to sacrifice their lives in, the national liberation struggle, shall be the fundamental principles of the Constitution;
Further pledging that it shall be a fundamental aim of the State to realise through the democratic process a socialist society, free from exploitation a society in which the rule of law, fundamental human rights and freedom, equality and justice, political, economic and social, will be secured for all citizens;
Affirming that it is our sacred duty to safeguard, protect and defend this Constitution and to maintain its supremacy as the embodiment of the will of the people of Bangladesh —————-.
Between Language Movement and Liberation War there was democratic movement for autonomy, economic equality and fundamental rights of people.
The primary goal was to establish a society free from oppression and exploitation in a democratic manner where rule of law, fundamental human rights, political, economic and social equality for all citizens will be ensured.
With scanty resources the government of Bangabandhu started to rebuild a war-devastated country and to implement the spirit of victory as mentioned in constitution.
But it is our national misfortune that after the brutal assassination of father of the nation a reverse journey began under direct patronisation of autocratic military and pseudo military rulers alongwith their obedient civilian officers and politicians.
The very logical expectation, as mentioned in constitution to establish an exploitation-free society, rolled on ground.
The spirit of victory achieved through blood of martyrs was trampled by those evil forces in many ways.
According to flow of time, 52 years is not much for a nation but not also ignorable. Singapore achieved independence in 1965. Within 40-50 years of independence Singapore, a village of fishermen with no natural and mineral resources, has climbed the level of a first-grade rich country in the world.
Bangladesh is not Singapore but the list of achievements during last 52 years is not so short. Bangladesh has graduated from an under developed nation to a middle-income country.
Economic progress, inclusive development, poverty alleviation, GDP growth and overall success are praiseworthy in any international standard.
Benefits of digital Bangladesh is now in hands of people. More than 90 million people are using internet (19thamong 141 countries in speed), 4G mobile service is operating and 5G is approaching.
E-passport, e-tender, e-commerce, online publication of results of public examinations, information service centres down to union level, online application for admission, online payment of utility bills and land development tax (khajna), online banking, e-filing of income tax return, etc.
are instances of achievement in digital sector. Bangabandhu Satellite and Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant have elevated Bangladesh to the level of satellite and nuclear age. Ignoring the frowning of World Bank, the Padma Bridge is now a radiant reality.
Metro rail, elevated expressway, Bangabandhu Tunnel, Dahaka-Cox’s Bazar railway, Khulna-Mongla railway have opened new horizons of communication, trade and tourism. Very soon train will reach Kolkata from Dhaka crossing the Padma Bridge.
Revolution has occurred in cultivation of paddy, potato, vegetable, mango, cereal and fish. Garments sector of Bangladesh has conquered Europe, America and many other countries of the world. Made in Bangladesh is now a brand name in this field.
Next to China, Bangladesh now is the second highest exporter of readymade garments in the world. Shelter (Asrayan) project for the homeless, BirNibash (housing project for war-injured and insolvent freedom fighters) etc.
are noticeable achievements. Government’s zero tolerance policy against terrorism and militancy has been praised worldwide. Bangladesh is now the 41st largest economy in the world and will be the 25th by 2035 if the current development process continues.
The World Bank upgraded Bangladesh from low income to lower-middle income country on 1st July, 2015. In March 2018 the United Nations Committee for Development Policy acknowledged Bangladesh as eligible for transition from LDC. In February, 2021 the committee finally recommended the graduation of Bangladesh.
Recent individual achievements are also enviable. With photograph on cover page Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been featured in worldwide popular and influential Times Magazine (brand name – TIME) published in the first week of this November.
In the report she has been termed as a wonderful political leader who has led Bangladesh to rise as the fastest growing economy in the Asia Pacific region in the last decade.
According to the report, she has been successfully serving as the head of government for a long time confronting military intervention in politics of Bangladesh. She has won more elections than Margaret Thatcher of England and Indira Gandhi of India, Moreover, just ahead of the COP-28 climate summit in Dubai, an article “Let’s put people back at the heart of climate action” of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (jointly with Patrick Verkuijen, CEO of Global Centre on Adaptation) has been published on 30th November in another famous American weekly Newsweek. Acknowledging her leadership, The Global Centre for Climate Mobility, supported by IOM and the UN system, Asia Climate Mobility Champion Leader Award has been conferred to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during COP-28 summit.
However, nothing is flawless in the world. Bankimchandra has written – “There are thorns in creepers, worms in flowers, poison in smell, beauty becomes distorted —–“. Similarly, amid success there are causes of concern also. Experts say that visible infrastructural development and graduation to developing country are not sufficient.
There is economic inequality and wide lack of good governance which is making all developments pale. In an article in 2021 Mr. Ubaidul Muktadir Chowdhury, MP rightly mentioned, ‘… when the mural of Bangabandhu is dismantled, when 16% of total national wealth becomes centred in the hands of a few families, when rate of discrimination gradually increases, when difference in constitutional rights becomes clear, when there is no national flag, no Independence Day, no Victory Day, no Martyrs’ Day, no national anthem in one kind of business houses in the cloak of educational institutions, the calculation of spirit of liberation gets muddled.’
At present there are 55 public, 113 private and 3 international universities acknowledged by University Grants Commission but despite university boom the number of students going abroad has been tripled in 15 years.
According to UNESCO statistics, at least 49,151 Bangladeshi students went abroad for studying in 58 countries in 2022. The number was 16,609 in 2008 and 24,112 in 2013. This is a big question.
Yet, there are ample scopes to be optimistic. Overcoming all odds patriotic people of Bangladesh will certainly attain and uphold the spirit of victory in all sectors of individual, social and national life.
(The writer is a former Commissioner of Taxes.)