A discussion session in remembrance of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was held at the conference room of the Honorable Vice Chancellor of BRAC University on 15 August 2016. Professor Dr. A. A. Ziauddin Ahmad, Chairperson, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, BRAC University, chaired and led the discussion.
The Vice Chancellor Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb, Ph.D. portrayed Bangabandhu as a strong, visionary and beloved leader. Recounting the brutal killing of Bangabandhu along with many of his family members on this inauspicious day in 1975, the Vice Chancellor spoke at length about the errant, vicious and rebellious group that had betrayed Bangabandhu’s trust and love for his countrymen. The Vice Chancellor also praised Bangabandhu’s leadership in very difficult times, his positive ideology, and his place among Bengalis as a role model.
Discussants felt that a person can be very religious, but at the same time be modern and secular in ideology and thoughts – Bangabandhu was such a powerful presence. Throughout his life Bangabandhu was moderate, people-centered and liberal; in his towering persona, he was brave, compassionate and loving. Bangabandhu had a great vision but unfortunately did not get enough time to materialize his dreams for the country and its people whom he loved more than himself. He was also fearless and uncompromising. The untimely death of Bangabandhu was a great loss for the country. The discussants opined that the accused killers who are still abroad should be brought back to face justice.
Drawing upon lessons from Bangabandhu’s life it was felt strongly that the responsibility is now upon all of us to build the nation about which he dreamt. BRAC University is playing its transformational part in training leaders imbued with the ideals of integrity, empathy, innovativeness, respect for others, discipline and service to community. The Vice Chancellor reiterated the role of teachers to shape students to play a positive role in building the future of our country. We have to study more and learn about the life of this great man, Professor Andaleeb added in his concluding remarks.
It is time to evaluate ourselves on the basis of the fundamental principles based on which Bangabandhu lived his life and wanted to build the country – the ideals of nationalism, socialism, democracy and secularism. Our heroic people and our brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the liberation war of 1971 inspired by the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, were also remembered.