Bangabandhu homecoming day celebrated
The historic Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been observed in the country today (January 10).
The supreme commander of the country s Liberation War Bangabandhu returned liberated Bangladesh via London and New Delhi on January 10 in 1972, after 290 days captivity in the then West Pakistan jail.
Ruling Awami League, its front organizations, other political parties and socio-cultural-professional bodies have chalked out elaborate programs to mark the day.
Pakistan army arrested Bangabandhu from his Dhanmondi residence on the night of March 25, 1971 and sent him to a West Pakistani jail the following day. He was subjected to inhuman torture in the jail.
Shoshanna Dresner is a passionate Educator whose experience has taken her from three years in Pinsk, Belarus, guiding and inspiring the girls there, to UK teaching positions, including the largest Jewish high school JFS. Shoshanna studied at the New Gateshead Seminary, the Moreshet Institute (Israel), and the LSJS gaining a BA in Liberal Arts with a core of Jewish Studies and Psychology, and Qualified Teachers Status. For the last three years she has been working as an Educator for the GIFT Charity in London, combining her love for teaching and kindness by running sessions for 100’s of students on the theme of ‘giving’, encouraging them to integrate this trait into all areas of their lives.
Shmot 5781: Fighting Illiteracy and Apathy; Don’t Know and Don’t Care
Shmot (Exodus 1:1-6:1)
GOOD MORNING! As I sit here writing this week’s column, the stillness of the rural Pennsylvania countryside is momentarily shattered by an eruption of fireworks and distant revelry ushering in 2021. In all likelihood, a big part of the celebration is spurred by the sentiment of finally turning the page and moving on from a very difficult 2020.
Still, moving on to a new year does not resolve the serious losses that so many continue to suffer from; the loss of loved ones, livelihoods, or in some cases both. It’s difficult times such as these when we must turn our attention to helping those who have suffered.
This week’s parsha could be entitled “The Birth of a Leader.” We see Moses, adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter, growing up as a prince of Egypt. We see him as a young man, for the first time realising the implications of his true identity. He is, and knows he is, a member of an enslaved and suffering people: “Growing up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labour. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people” (Ex. 2:10).
He intervenes – he acts: the mark of a true leader. We see him intervene three times, twice in Egypt, once in Midian, to rescue victims of violence. We then witness the great scene at the Burning Bush where God summons him to lead his people to freedom. Moses hesitates four times until God becomes angry and Moses knows he has no other choice. This is a classic account of the genesis of a hero.
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1st Jan 2021
The first case of COVID-19 in Bangladesh was detected on Mar 8, 2020. By that time, preparations were well underway for the grand inaugural ceremony of Mujib Barsha. An emergency meeting was called at the Ganabhaban on that very day, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in the presence of her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, clearly stated, “Bangabandhu dedicated his entire life for the people. We cannot, in good conscience, allow any events in his honour where his people would be put even at a minimum of risk.”
And so, with severe limitations imposed on Mujib Barsha celebrations, the prime minister started what would be the beginning of her relentless and ongoing fight on behalf of Bangladesh against COVID-19. The immediate challenges were twofold: containment of the virus and treatment.