Editorial
Indian war veterans
We commend the Army Chief for the initiative
IT was a reunion long overdue. The Indian war veterans of 1971 led by General JFR Jacob, former chief of staff of the eastern command of the Indian army, were in Dhaka to witness our Independence Day programmes in an atmosphere of friendly warmth and bonhomie, which rekindled the glorious memories of the nine month long Liberation War. They shared our moment of joy and pride, in a spirit of renewal after long 37 years. We missed Gen JS Arora, the GOC-in-C of the eastern command, on the occasion who had passed away recently.
Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed took the commendable initiative of inviting the war veterans to Dhaka. It was thinking out of the box, since no government in the past could perform the simple task of inviting our friends in need to this country. Our image as a nation can only be brightened if we pay due tributes to the men and women who stood by us in the most excruciating days of our history. For the guests, it was an occasion to travel back to the past when they fought shoulder-to-shoulder with us.
Such meetings and reunions do not only revive the memories of the past but will also strengthen the ties between the neighbours. It is more than a question of remembering our friends; we have to make sure that the events of 1971 are not lost into oblivion. Obviously, those who fought for this nation and suffered beyond description would be elated to see the war veterans, the 'living mementoes' of the great war.
The issue of our bilateral relations with India should not be mixed up with our tribute to genuine friends who fought alongside us for our freedom. The contribution of the Indian army in 1971 will always remain a glorious chapter in our freedom struggle. As neighbours we will have contentious issues and sometimes even serious conflictual situations. These, however, must not be confused with the events of 1971. Just as our sense of gratitude should not prevent us from pursuing national interest with vigour, so also present or future problems should not deflect and vitiate the memories of 1971.
We as a nation should take pride in and uphold the historical truths that have shaped our destiny. And this should always be viewed in its own perspective, keeping the present day problems and irritants aside to be resolved through diplomatic efforts.
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