In memory of Captain Basher

By Mizanur Rahman, Dept. of IS, AUB
6 November 2003, 18:00 PM
It's a great news for all (DS, 18th October, 2003) that a memorial will be built to express reverence to an outstanding liberation war hero, Shaheed Captain Bashar. According to the report a gate costing Tk. 6,00,000/ (six lakhs) will be constructed at the entrance of Nilphamary district town, naming it Shaheed Captain Bashar Gate. State minister for education, ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon, who is in charge of the district, gave his consent to the project and promised fund disbursement..

I wholeheartedly appreciate the initiative of building the memorial. But, according to my layman view, establishing a 'memorial public library' would be more coherent and apposite than to building a gate spending more than Tk. half a million. In support of my stand, I have some arguments.

Establishing a library tantamount to establishing a hospital for soul. Besides bearing the reminiscences of the martyr, it will go on enlightening and healing the souls of the people of that area. Thus it would be a boon and a bonanza for those seeking moral tranquillity in these days of degradation. It would also be in concert with the mission of Shaheed Bashar's honourable father who was a noted headmaster of Nilphamary High School.

To the contrary, spending such a huge amount from the public exchequer to build a gate might not result into a far-reaching output for the nation.