A total of 13 Birangonas (war heroines) out of 22 in Sirajganj district recently got recognition as freedom fighters after about 43 years of winning independence through “Liberation War” in Bangladesh in 1971.
Such recognition has made them proud, happy and excited. They are thankful to the present government for providing them recognition before their death.
It is to be mentioned that, the present government recently has published a gazette giving recognition to 42 Birangonas (war heroines) in the country as freedom fighters. Among the total recognised freedom fighters, 13 are from Sirajganj, while 9 others out of 22 have been deprived of the credit.
From now, the newly recognised freedom fighters would avail all kinds of advantages including freedom fighter allowance like other freedom fighters in the country.
“I feel very much proud and thank to Bangabandhu Sheikh Muzibur Rahman’s daughter the present Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for giving us the honour. Though we had been leading extreme miserable life for the last 43 years after the “Liberation War”, now we are very happy and excited. All the regrets have been erased from our life’, said Surjyo Begum, 60, a war heroine of Natun Bhangabari village in Sirajganj town.
Kamela Bewa, 70, another war heroine of Bindupara village in Sirajganj municipality said earlier people hate us saying Birangona, sinner and characterless. No one helped us, the society was ashamed of us. Now, we are identified us as freedom fighters. We have got the honour like other freedom fighters in the country.
The lucky Birangonas, who got the recognition as freedom fighters, are Surjyo Begum, 60, Shamsunnahar, 62, Mahela Begum, 60, Hamida, 65, Joygun, 60, Achhiya Khatun, 65, Hasina, 63, Shreemoti Rajubala, 65, Suraiya Begum, 60, Komela Bewa, 70, Rahima Khatun, 60, Samina Khatun, 62, and Aymona Bibi, 60.
Safina Lohani, Director of Uttaran Mahila Sangstha said that, there were a total of 22 Birangonas in Sirajganj district. Of them, four died due to old age. At present, 18 Birangonas are alive and are leading miserable life staying at different places. Of them, 13 have got identification of freedom fighters, while the rest are deprived of the identities.
After enlistment as freedom fighters, the Birangonas would be eligible to get a monthly allowances of Tk 10,000, free treatment, quota in government  jobs and educational institutions for their children and grand-children, grants and other dues and facilities.
All these benefits are enjoyed by 2.10 lakh male freedom fighters.
Nawsher Ali, President of Rajshahi Freedom Fighter Multipurpose Cooperative Association (Muktijoddha Bohumukhi Somobay Samity) said  the initiative of the AL led government to giving recognition to the Birangonas as freedom fighters has made a history for the next generation.
The High Court recently directed the government to publish the names of 80 ‘Birangonas’, women heroes of the Liberation War, in the official gazette by December 13 to recognize them as ‘female freedom fighters’.