MAILBOX

How the Steel was Tempered
A few days ago, I was reading the autobiography of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman titled The Unfinished Memoirs. Suddenly a narrative on one of the back pages of the book grabbed my attention, it says- One day Bangabandhu was reading the newspaper while his eldest son and eldest daughter were playing nearby. Suddenly Bangabandhu heard his son ask his sister, 'Hasu Apa, can I also call your Abba (father) my Abba?' As a father how did Sheikh Mujib feel at that moment? I do not know. When I read the story again in the article titled "How the Steel Was Tempered" published in the Star Weekend on August 12, 2016, I tried to imagine the agony of those innocent children who were deprived of their father's love and care due to some political reasons. I think, as our Prime Minister can understand the pain a child faces without love of his father, she would try her best so that no child has to go through such reality in their lifetime.
Enam Hasan
Madaninagar, Narayanganj

Photo: Marilyn Silverstone

Our Beloved Bangabandhu
This year, we passed another August 15, the national Mourning Day of our nation. In 1975, on this day, the greatest Bengali of all times Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with his family members was assassinated at his residence by a group of deviated army officers. Without his sacrifice and contribution to our nation, it would not be possible for us to be an independent nation of the world. His name, sacrifice, ideals and personality will always remain alive in the hearts of millions of Bengalis. He is physically dead, but we always feel his spiritual presence amongst us. We always feel proud when we think that Bangabandhu is a Bengali, and so are we. May his brave soul rest in peace. 
Sayek Ahmed Sajib
University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi