Your mum is older than Bangladesh: 52 years on.
Before I delve into it, let's acquaint ourselves with the lesser known history first.
I'm currently on the road travelling through this incredible and diverse nation, born out of a war for independence. It was once known as East Pakistan, gaining independence from British rule in 1947 and joining Pakistan. But the separation from West Pakistan by India, along with linguistic and cultural differences, fueled a sense of marginalisation among the predominantly Bengali-speaking population in the east.
Over the years, tensions simmered as the people in East Pakistan felt left out in the political and economic spaces by the ruling elite in the west. Things came to a head in 1971 with Operation Searchlight, a brutal crackdown by the Pakistani military to suppress the Bengali nationalist movement. It led to unimaginable atrocities, including genocide, sexual violence against Bengali women and mass displacement.
In response, the Bengali population with the backing of India declared independence on March 26, 1971, marking the start of the Bangladesh Liberation War. The conflict lasting a gut-wrenching nine months, unfolded as a dire humanitarian crisis.
The war concluded on December 16, 1971, a date that coincides with my current travels. On this day, the Pakistani military in East Pakistan surrendered to the joint forces of the Indian military and the Mukti Bahini, the Bengali nationalist forces.
This pivotal victory paved the way for the birth of the independent and sovereign state of Bangladesh. The war of independence is commonly known as the Bangladesh Liberation War or the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.
Navigating through this historically charged country during this momentous time, especially with the elections in play, I find it crucial to truly understand and properly tell the profound narrative of Bangladesh's journey. During this trip, I've had the privilege of sharing meals and conversations with the locals, delving into the psyche of the people and gaining insights into how they perceive their own story which I’ll talk about in the next few newsletters. But it’s also my own story. I’m not just an observer this time; I’m intricately woven into the fabric of this country and my exploration here. It’s emotional, it’s complex, and I’m just trying to soak it all in. The next few newsletters won’t be so heavy! I promise - well depends on what happens lol.
The track I’d like to leave you with today is Trials of the Past by Sbtrkt.
Love,
Rez x