On the 53rd anniversary of Bangladesh’s historic victory in the Liberation War, Failed Camera Stories yesterday (16 December) organised an emotional and thought-provoking programme titled “Tales of Martyrs’ Mothers” at the Jamal Khan Intersection in Chattogram city.
The event highlighted the sacrifices of the martyrs of the July uprising and their families, weaving a narrative of past struggles and present realities, according to a press release.
The Victory Day marks the culmination of Bangladesh’s nine-month-long Liberation War of 1971. This year’s programme paid tribute to the martyrs of the July uprising in the port city, shedding light on their stories and the enduring grief, hopes, and demands of their families.
The event began with the national anthem, setting a solemn tone for the evening. Student leaders from the movement shared firsthand accounts of the uprising, recounting the courage and resilience that marked those tumultuous times. Following this, mothers and families of the martyrs took the stage to share deeply moving stories of sacrifice.
The mother of Faisal Ahmed Shanto, a martyr, shared, “Shanto stood against injustice from a very young age and was unwavering in his commitment to truth. He is no longer with us, but we demand justice for his killing.”
Similarly, the wife of martyr Jamal expressed her sorrow, stating, “As a martyr’s family, we have not been valued in the way we should have been.”
Another poignant testimony came from the mother of martyr Shahidul, who said, “Shahidul proved through his death that the country is filled with thousands of Shahiduls. These thousands will build a new Bangladesh.”
The mother of martyr Yusuf added, “As long as Yusuf’s killers are not brought to justice, the country cannot claim to be truly free.”
Failed Camera Stories Director Saeed Khan Shagor, who presided over the event, emphasised the historical continuity between the struggles of 1947, 1971, and 2024. “We cannot honour 1971 without recognising 2024. Just as we celebrate the victory of 1971, we must also listen to the families who made sacrifices for the victory of 2024.”
The event’s chief guest was Chattogram District Council Chief Executive Officer Shabbir Iqbal, who commended Failed Camera Stories for their efforts in preserving the memory of the July uprising.
“Their efforts to preserve the memory of this uprising will one day be remembered with great reverence. They have introduced the martyrs of Chattogram to a new generation,” he remarked.
The programme, which was attended by around 400 people, featured other speakers, including Tahasin B Chowdhury, Assistant Director of Failed Camera Stories Rinvi Nusrat Prapti, Himadri Dey, Abu Naser Alif, and Islam Jishad.
Red-and-green shawls were presented to the mothers of the martyrs by Rinvi, while Shabbir handed them tokens of honour.
A documentary on the 1971 Liberation War and the July uprising of 2024 was screened to conclude the event, offering a visual tribute to the sacrifices made by the martyrs.
