A sense of history among the young

At the convocation ceremony of a private university, President Abdul Hamid has underlined the need for the young of today to have proper understanding of the history of Bangladesh. The call for the new generation to know the struggle this country had to face during the war and in the austerity driven post-war decades, is imperative because they will then realise that the prosperity filled image of Bangladesh today has come after much hardship and stoicism. The history of a nation inspires the youth and once they understand the relentless struggle for independence and the tenacious efforts to ward off all odds to secure a firm position among other nations, they will feel pride in being a Bangladeshi.

Nothing is more inspiring than the resolute tale of a country, signed off by many as a basket case. Bangladesh has overcome a plethora of problems to become a beacon of hope among developing nations. However, in learning history, stress must be on an accurate account and not partisan, biased and distorted versions. Time and again, there have been attempts to present certain areas of our past. Therefore, the young must read and not just take anything that they hear to be the absolute truth. When the young begin to read accounts from various local and international sources they will develop the ability to form an objective concept.

Unfortunately, still today, despite so much publicity around Ekushey, many young people do not know the real facts of the language movement in 1952 when people rose to defend their mother tongue from being relegated. Similar misconceptions persist over Independence Day, which is 26 March and Victory Day, which is 16 December. These three dates are all related to our liberation though each has a separate role which should be known by all youngsters.  Also important for the privileged youth of today is to learn that once, in the privation filled period after independence, life for the middle class was all about surviving with whatever was available, ranging from clothes to food to employment. The first two decades after 1971 were marked by economic stringency, natural calamities, famine, scarcity of food, high mortality rate among children, low literacy and widespread diseases. From a picture of suffering, Bangladesh is now an image of resolute hope and pride. A remarkable case study by itself, this nation is the perfect example for the young about to finish education to embark on a new journey. Let the undaunted spirit of the nation drive the youth forward.  

 

A sense of history among the young

At the convocation ceremony of a private university, President Abdul Hamid has underlined the need for the young of today to have proper understanding of the history of Bangladesh. The call for the new generation to know the struggle this country had to face during the war and in the austerity driven post-war decades, is imperative because they will then realise that the prosperity filled image of Bangladesh today has come after much hardship and stoicism. The history of a nation inspires the youth and once they understand the relentless struggle for independence and the tenacious efforts to ward off all odds to secure a firm position among other nations, they will feel pride in being a Bangladeshi. Nothing is more inspiring than the resolute tale of a country, signed off by many as a basket case. Bangladesh has overcome a plethora of problems to become a beacon of hope among developing nations. However, in learning history, stress must be on an accurate account and not partisan, biased and distorted versions. Time and again, there have been attempts to present certain areas of our past. Therefore, the young must read and not just take anything that they hear to be the absolute truth. When the young begin to read accounts from various local and international sources they will develop the ability to form an objective concept. Unfortunately, still today, despite so much publicity around Ekushey, many young people do not know the real facts of the language movement in 1952 when people rose to defend their mother tongue from being relegated. Similar misconceptions persist over Independence Day, which is 26 March and Victory Day, which is 16 December. These three dates are all related to our liberation though each has a separate role which should be known by all youngsters. Also important for the privileged youth of today is to learn that once, in the privation filled period after independence, life for the middle class was all about surviving with whatever was available, ranging from clothes to food to employment. The first two decades after 1971 were marked by economic stringency, natural calamities, famine, scarcity of food, high mortality rate among children, low literacy and widespread diseases. From a picture of suffering, Bangladesh is now an image of resolute hope and pride. A remarkable case study by itself, this nation is the perfect example for the young about to finish education to embark on a new journey. Let the undaunted spirit of the nation drive the youth forward.