Online Desk: Diplomats of foreign missions in Bangladesh attended The Daily Star’s exhibition yesterday to pay tribute to the bravehearts of the July uprising.
The event featured the screening of a documentary film produced with The Daily Star’s footage and photographs, along with testimonies of its journalists who put their lives on the line to bring stories of indomitable courage to their readers.
Launched on November 30, “36 Days of July: Saluting the Bravehearts”, an exhibition of news reports and photographs, is dedicated to the martyrs and those injured during the mass uprising in July and August. The exhibition will continue till December 14.
At the special invitation of the daily, the distinguished guests started arriving at The Daily Star Centre at around 3:00pm to join the special viewing programme.
The programme commenced with the documentary film “Droher July: Shongbade, Shongrame (July of Rebellion: In News, In Battle)”.
After the inauguration, the visitors explored the exhibition, moving through the photographs and news coverage on the ground floor and first floor of the building and appreciated the newspaper’s coverage during the movement.
The exhibition highlights The Daily Star’s coverage of this historic uprising, including editorials and commentaries, along with articles and features.
A dedicated corner was set up for guests to reflect on, and the diplomats shared their thoughts regarding the exhibition and the uprising in the visitors’ book.
After visiting the exhibition, Michael Miller, ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union, in his reaction told this newspaper that he was grateful to The Daily Star leadership for the invitation. He commended the photographs at the exhibition as “striking, tragic and impressive”. “The European Union is here to identify how it can support the interim government at this moment of political transition in your country,” he added.
In the visitors’ book, he wrote, “Extremely impressive! No one can leave without a deep sense of tragedy mixed with hope and more.”
Palestinian Ambassador Yousef SY Ramadan also thanked The Daily Star and said the newspaper has always contributed to everything positive for the people of Bangladesh — something he has witnessed for the last 10 years.
“Brave, constructive and wise. If we want to talk about the uprising, I think when the people speak loudly, no one has the right to have a louder voice than the people,” he said, adding that the people, led by the students, have spoken out; the decision was made; and the victory was achieved.
“Congratulations to Bangladesh! We just pray and hope that this country will enjoy total freedom, democracy, dignity, and full sovereignty in every aspect! The people of Bangladesh deserve that,” he said, adding that they do deserve a better life for the future generation.
Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pranay Verma described the exhibition as “very well curated and documented”.
“It is a very important moment in the history of Bangladesh.
“Of course very poignant as to what happened during those months. We really hope that Bangladesh will have a better future. We will always be supporting a stable, democratic, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh,” he said.
He hopes that the exhibition paves the way for that future and serve that purpose.
Verma wrote in the visitor’s book, “Touching, well curated. Capturing History.”
Gavin Tench, minister counsellor political and humanitarian, British High Commission, wrote, “Very moving!”
Chinese Embassy Political Attache Lin Yuyang in his reaction said that it was his first time to see such a whole collection of the people’s strength and courage. “It will enlighten us.”
He said he was in Dhaka during the July-August uprising and saw so many students and mass people from different walks of life fighting for a new Bangladesh.
“We respect the efforts of the people, and we support the interim government from the Chinese side. We hope for stability, peace and co-existence, rehabilitation and a prosperous future. We will do what we can to support the people and government of Bangladesh,” he added.
Zhang Jing, political director of the Chinese embassy, wrote in the visitor’s book, “A good collection of the courage and strength of BD [Bangladeshi] people.”
Fasih Ullah Khan, press counsellor of the Pakistan High Commission, wrote, “Very impressive. Saw some rare pictures.”
Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, also visited the exhibition yesterday.
Such “extraordinary” exhibitions need to be held around the country so that all the people can have a glimpse of the history in this momentous occasion.
“I think it brings back history into life, and it’s a testimony of the bravery of this country,” he said.
The sacrifices young people have made to bring back democracy and open up a new way to the progress of the country have to be carried forward.
“But what is more important that the promise made through the sacrifices has to be kept alive. We will have to bring back all those memories in order to inspire our generation in building our future Bangladesh,” Bhattacharya said.
Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, said the newspaper organised the exhibition as part of the efforts to remember and pay tribute to the fearless souls who sacrificed their lives during the “36 days of July”.
Among the guests were French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy; Spanish Ambassador Gabriel Maria Sistiaga Ochoa de Chinchetru; UAE Ambassador Abdullah Ali Al Hamoudi; Libyan Ambassador Mahmud MM Sallabi; Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks; Danish Ambassador Christian Brix Møller; Dutch Ambassador Andre Carstens; Nepalese Ambassador Ghanshyam Bhandari; Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro; acting high commissioner of Australia Nardia Simpson; and Moroccan Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission Majid Halem.
Besides Alberto Giovanetti, head of economic, political and communication affairs at the Swiss Embassy; Towheed Feroze, EU Embassy media and information adviser; Gokul VK, first secretary of the Indian High Commission; and Mohamed El Emam, country manager of Qatar Airways, also attended the event.
