People's Taj
| Tributes from Family, Friends, Colleagues & Countrypeople Excerpts from the Handwritten Manuscript of Zohra Tajuddin part1 and part2 on her husband Tajuddin Ahmad. The manuscript is part of a memoir which was published in Dainik Bangla.Dhaka.1972. Selected sections from Zohra Tajuddin’s memoir of 1971. "Birer E Rakta Srot." published in weekly Bichitra (special Eid edition). Dhaka. 1992 Tribute by eldest daughter, Sharmin Ahmad Reepi, to her father on his birthday. "Muktijuddher kandari Tajuddin: Kannar Abhibadon."Thikana. New York. 2006. Tribute by second daughter, Simeen Hussain Rimi, to her father on his birthday. "Tajuddin Ahmad: Janmadiner Sraddhargo". Prothom Alo.Dhaka.2006. Tribute by youngest daughter, Mahjabeen Ahmad Mimi, to her father on his birthday. "Recalling Tajuddin Ahmad: Illuminated by the Gleam of Work He Left Behind." The Daily Star. Dhaka.1998. This Feature Article was written and presented by Alimuddin (Member Secretary-Progressive Forum) at a seminar in New York, organized by Progressive Forum on the occasion of Tajuddin Ahmad’s 81st birth anniversary.2006. Dr. Atiur Rahman. "Recalling Our First Prime Minister--Tribute to Tajuddin Ahmad on his 79th birth anniversary."On line publication. www.newsfrombangladesh.net :Dhaka.2004. M.Azizul Jalil Tajuddin Ahmad: A Wise Man of few words
Tajuddin Ahmad and the birth of Bangladesh are interwoven in the collective memory of people who are in harmony with truth and justice. As his birthday on July approaches, when he would have been 83 years old, if he were alive, a question looms large. How would Bangladesh look like if he had lived a few more years to lead and guide his beloved nation? He was a natural leader, endowed with the rare humane qualities of humility, compassion, committment, integrity and a bird's eye vision to take Bangladesh to its new height. The nine glorious months of our liberation war is a testimony to his able leadership of gigantic scope and breadth. His untimely death, at the the hands of the assassins, was not only a national loss but it also cast a shadow of hopelessness on the national psyche. Tajuddin was a rare breed of a leader in the ocean of moral bankruptcy whose ideals can still guide our nation to peace and prosperity. On Mahatma Gandhi's death (January 30,1948), twenty two year old student-activist Tajuddin wrote in his journal, 'The man whom we mourn today was one who travelled his long way through darkness to light. Sometimes he had to hover in the darkness for light. he searched for light and lo! he himself was a light. A light can't be destroyed. What of that! The Pole star though unimaginably distant from us is always and the only guide for the people of ages in the dark arctic region. Little did young Tajuddin know as he wrote that particular entry,that one day, he would be destined to guide Bangladesh during the nine months of liberation war and lead it to victory. Just as he said, 'A Light can't be destroyed,' noble deeds and ideals are that inextinguishable light to guide us forever. Tajuddin, like all great world leaders, masters and seers, was such an immortal light. On his birthday, I welcome you, dear reader, to take a glimpse of the website,(www.tajuddinahmad.com) which celebrates the life and works of this great leader who was larger than life itself. Tajuddin Ahmad: A Wise Man with few words The following interviews,poems,reflections and quotes are posted by last names in alphabetical order. Interviews Abu Sayeed Chowdhury (1996)shares his experience of working as the private secretary of Finance Minister Tajuddin Ahmad. He reminisces “Mr. Tajuddin was a man of great discipline. He did politics all his life yethe was extremely meticulous about discipline…..The unwavering respect and faith he had for the Rule of Law was unbelievable....Mr. Tajuddin was by nature a very truthful man ,as well as very frank and open to his close friends and associates while talking about his country. Paramount on his thoughts was always the good of Bangladesh…..I miss Mr. Tajuddin tremendously. I think he would have played a significant role in Bangladesh if he were alive today." Professor Nurul Islam (1998,1999)former Deputy Chair of the First Planning Commission of Bangladesh,captures a remarakble adminstrator,a visionary planner,a just negotiator and a sagacious leader in Tajuddin Ahmad. He puts on record," Mr. Tajuddin's analysis,his masterful handling of points and counter points,his instincts, were by far the best...The truth of the matter is that Mr. Tajuddin was a fiercely patriotic man.He knew that we were too small to do anyting to a powerful country.We do not have that ability. But we do have our honor. We can't and accept anyone's pity,which is the messege he wanted to convey...His sharp intelligence and his ability to present things in a clear and succinct manner attracted other's attention toward him...It was not just Mr. McNamara,but every foreign dignitary who ever came in contact with Mr. Tajuddin couldn't leave but with a sense of admiration and deep respect for this man...On a purely humane level,undoubtedly,he was a man of high caliber." Ali Tareq(1991)had a unique opportunity of working with Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad during the war of liberation in 1971 and after the independence, as his Public Relation Officer.He gleans from a treasured past,"Tajuddin Ahmad,the First Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh,is a name that invokes the greatest respect in me. Tajuddin was more than a name.He was an important part of our history. I would go even further-he was history...Over the period of my close association with Mr. Tajuddin,I had the unique opportunity to observe him from a close range. And what I saw left me in awe and amazement.On matters of principle this man never compromised.I never saw any one who loved Bangladeshi people more than he did.Not then,not now." Poems
Hasan Mahmud's poem "Bangladesh" brings back the poignant memories of 1971.The heroic role Tajuddin played, in uniting the nation to a glorious victory against injustice and falsehood, is captured in his poem. During almost the entire period of the liberation war Tajuddin Ahmad had only one shirt to wear. He ate little, spoke less and worked harder than ever. His whole heart and mind were set on liberating Bangladesh. Award winning documentary film director Tanvir Mokammel depicts Tajuddin’s devotion through his poem "Tajuddiner Shirt." Sharmin Ahmad Reepi composed this poem "Teshora November: Babake Mone Kore"on her father’s final departure anniversary. First published in Sachitra Sandhani. Dhaka.1984. Lutfar Rahman Riton’s poem "Tajuddin Swadhinatar Itihasher Taj"is colored with many facets of Tajuddin Ahmad. His abbreviated name Taj, which means crown, was indeed crowned with victory. He is the crown of our history of Bangladesh liberation, as depicted in the poem.
Reflections of people from all walks of life about Tajuddin Ahmad: May 7 2008 Tajuddin wears the Glorious Crown of Achievement
April 15? Tajuddin was the Pearl of Bangladesh Politics Hello Reepi,
Tajuddin Ahmad:The Architect of Independent Bangladesh Thank you Sharmin, for sharing this rare and live experiences[interviews] of the responsible officials who saw the sterling personality of Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad...My initial feeling is, the Bengali nation needs to know more about the nation's real architect, who planned and implemented the nationhood of today's Bangladesh,a unique creation of South East Asia, a viable emerging force of tomorrow's life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Yours brother, Maryland,U.S.A Mr. Rahman,is a Certified Public Accountant.He has established a variety of charity projects and works to promote good governance.As a student he participated in the Independence Movement of Bangladesh and was a Secretary of Dhanmondi chapter of Sangram Parishad. Quotes from the Published Sources about Tajuddin Ahmad: Muhammad Nurul Quadir.Independence of Bangladesh in 266 Days:History and Documentary Evidence.Dhaka:Mukto Publishers,2004,p.74. We could achieve our freedom and return to our beloved motherland within a record time of 266 days only because we had a great leader like Tajuddin ahmad. I was fortunate enough to have been able to see him at close quarters during that time.He was unparalleled in his deep sense of responsibility and commitment to the cause of independence.He was never an opportunist and never compromised the natioanl interest...Nothing short of total independence was his aim.His rock like firmness of character,resoluteness,transparency of thinking,pragmatism and courage helped him,all the way ,to reach the desired goal...Almighty Allah wanted that we become independent and so Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested by the Pakistan army on the night of March㺙,1971 and Tajuddin Ahmad emerged as the wartime leader of the nation.No other leader in place of Tajuddin Ahmad,probably not even Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, would have been able to conduct the war of independence so effectively as Tajuddin Ahmad.
Shahnoor Wahid.Senior Assistant Editor of The Daily Star."Tajuddin Ahmad:The Lonely warrior." The Daily Star:Dhaka,July 24,2007. In fact, the illustrious political career of Tajuddin and his contribution to the creation of Bangladesh will remain an inspiration for all freedom loving peoples of the world.....this man of substance -- a lonely warrior, a true patriot, a Bengali by heart, an architect of Bangladesh. He was a thinker politician, a philosopher and a visionary. And at the same time he was capable of undertaking colossal responsibility and delivering the goods too. Who does not know how he shouldered the responsibility of steering the liberation war in 1971 on behalf of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and coming out victorious on December 16. |
