The New Nation - Internet Edition

Abu Bakar Siddiquee

It is habit of some people to make out cover stories; they don't remain consistent to their words; their assumed personality are not parallel with the reality; in whatever style they present themselves turned out to be the reverse. They see something but narrate it differently concealing the fact, knowingly or unknowingly.

At present Abdul Haque is serving in a reputed office under a junior boss as a peon. He studied up to class eight and after the independence of the country, became the boatman of local union council chairman and soon turned to be his all time companions. Once it happened that Abdul Haque fall sick; along with fever, nausea, loss of appetite, yellow colouration of eyeball and urine, his whole body took a yellowish tint with itching, and progressive weakness. The doctor and the 'Kaviraj' of the village failed to treat him and advised to consult the reputed medical specialist of Dhaka. But Abdul Haque neither had the capability of going to Dhaka nor could spend money for his treatment. At last the chairman became sympathetic at Abdul Haque's earnest entreaty. While he came to Dhaka to admit his daughter in the University he fetched Abdul Haque along with him to be treated in a city hospital. The senior consultant of the hospital made some investigations and said, 'it's already late, Mr. Chairman, he is heading towards liver failure, which means certainty of death.'

However Abdul Haque fought the disease with the kind help of Chairman. The cold hand of death almost touched him but he was survived from its embrace. After almost one and a half months treatment in the hospital he recovered fully. He was also lucky enough to get a job in the capital, being employed in the doctor's house.

Abdul Haque was passing his days happily with the job. At the end of the month regularly he sends money to his family at village home. After finishing all work he used to have full meal and sound sleep. But he had a dream to serve in a government job, which also came into reality soon. One day the doctor called him and said,

'Abdul Haque, for a long time you have been working with me. After all you also have to think of your future; to bring up the family, to look after parents, to educate the children is a part of life and one require money for these. As such I have arranged a government service for you.'

Then he wrote a letter, sealed inside an envelope, and send Abdul Haque with that letter to the senior officer, where Abdul Haque works at present.

The doctor had a great reputation as a medical practitioner and had liaison with people of high status in the society. People had great respect for him. Abdul Haque was taken into the job. He was in the good look of the senior boss. Other employees of the office envy him in spite of having no enmity with anybody. But Abdul Haque did not change his character; he used to carry out the order of his senior boss and after office hour doing the tid-bit works of his house he used to return to the doctor's house to have meal and pass his night.

Thus Abdul Haque was passing his days happily. In the Eid holidays, before going home he used to buy clothes for his parents, wife, children and relatives and never forget to buy other necessary household articles. He also used to buy gifts for his neighbours according to their requirement of normal living hood. His aged father and mother always prayed for him. They used to say,

'Be happy my son. May almighty Allah grant you a long life and fortune, enable your children to become police sub inspector or magistrate.'

Abdul Haque used to be glad on hearing their prayers.

After few years, that easy life of Abdul Haque became stormy. His boss was transferred to another office in a higher position. Before farewell the boss promoted the head clerk of his office to the post of junior officer, with utmost effort. Abdul Haque was appointed as a peon of that junior officer. The boss thought that as they had been working together for so many years would have some bondage of love and affection; and would work in harmony caring for each other. But he proved to be wrong. After the promotion to the rank of officer the head clerk changed his attitude overnight. He pretended not to recognize the lower class employees with whom he used to work in the same desk, same room. He ordered Abdul Haque not to allow anybody to enter his office room without prior permission. If anybody tried to be familiar with him in the assumed personae of his previous acquaintance, had to stumble. Peon Abdul Haque was in awkward situation. He had to face all the storm of his new boss. It became difficult for him to keep good terms with the members of the office, who were known to him for so many years, and were like a single family.

Abdul Haque was ordered to do all the household works of his new boss after office hours. He didn't like it and felt humiliated; still he used to perform all the home duties meticulously and silently. After completing all the works he used to return to the doctor's house to have his meal and pass night there.

This time the new boss hindered his night stay also. He called Abdul Haque and said, 'Look Abdul Haque, how silly is that being my subordinate you are performing the duty of watch man in someone else's house? From now onwards after completing the work in my house you can take your meal by cooking yourself or from a hotel, and then guard my house at night.

Abdul Haque got stunned,- what an order! So long he has taken his meal at the doctor's house, he has passed his many years of life there. Now how could he leave the place by tearing off all the bondages of the doctor's family!

The junior boss snubbed,

'What are you thinking? From today onwards you must carry out my order. You must remember that your service is for the sake of mere subsistence and my service is a fancied one to have honour in the society. Do you get me?'

'Yes, sir, I do.'

'What do you understand?

'I serve for my bread and butter and you serve for honour and prestige in the society. Sir, we serve to fulfil the need of ours which falls short off!'

(Translated by Razia Khanam)

Showbhonik Shobdoshilpi Shamsul Karim Kayesh (Beautiful word- artist Shamsul Karim Kayesh). Edited by Robbani Chowdhury. Published by Chowdhury Jabin Rabbani, North Linconshire, UK ; 12 Chaitra 1413, 26th Morch 2007. Cover: Abinash Acharya, DD 1/16, Format 6 ½. Paper: Whiteprient. Price 100.00

Shamsul Karim Kayesh is a rhymer. He is a researcher on our literary history and heritage. He is the author and editor of 14 published books and has earned fame by contribution to our literature. Poet Jashimuddin, Dr. Ashraf Siddiqi, Sardar Zainuddin, poet Abdul Mannan Syed, poet Dilwar, Dr. Rajib Humayun, Atoar Rahman and many other litterateurs have appreciated his achievement in the literary sphere.

The recent publication 'Showbhonik Shobdoshilpi Shamsul Karim Kayesh' by eminent expatriate litterateur Rabbani Chowdhury is a compilation of some evaluations on the writings and achievements of Shamsul Karim Kayesh.

The contents of the book include writings of distinguished litterateur Dr. Ashraf Siddiqi, Professor Md. Abdur Aziz, Dewan Nurul Anwar Husain Chowdhury, Abdul Hamid Manik, Nripendra Lal Das, Nuruzzaman Mani, Professor Jahan Ara Khatun, Professor Abu Taher Mazumdar, Dr. Abdur Rahim, Dilwar, Mustafizur Rahman, Md Zainuddin, Syed Mustafa Kamal, Solaiman Ahsan, Mohammad Faizur Rahman, Prof. M. Habibur Rahman, Dr. Shafiuddin Ahmad, Raqib Al Hafiz, Prof Muhammad Abul Hossain and Md. Alimuzzaman.

Rhymes on Shamsul Karim Kayesh by Sardar Zainuddin, Poet Dilwar, Mahmud Haque, Rabbani Chowdhury and Salam Masrur and comments of poet Jashimuddin, Atoar Rahman, Poet Abdul Mannan Syed, Dr. Razib Humyum, and Abdul Hye Minar add significant focus on Kayesh, as a litterateur.

The names of books with reference to Shamsul Karim Kayesh, the names of books dedicated to him and the names of books in which his writings have been published have been included in the last part of the book. The appendix adds the picture of covers of his books.

The book has been dedicated to Abdul Muqit Chowdhury, Ragib Hosain Chowdhury, Abdul Hamid Manik, Roshomoy Mohanto and Shubhendu Imam.

The book throws light on the life, achievement and contribution of Shamsul Karim Kayesh. The discussion, evaluation and comments of litterateurs will be helpful to know the rhymer litterateur Kayesh. These will be introductory to readers as well as the researchers on contemporary literary history.

We hope, this will be a well circulated book.

(Reviewed by Abdul Muqit Chowdhury)

Our Liberation War and Victory Day

M.Mizanur Rahman

I t were horrid and horrendous night and day

that overshadowed the sky of Bangladesh

with military marauders of killing squads

led by the Hitlerite-demons Yahya- Tikka and their henchmen

that made the blood-bath by torturing and killing

millions of Bangalees in genocide hands;

and they raped mother Bangladesh;

their hungry swelling mouths and ugly faces smeared blood

of men women and children

between the months of March 25 and December 16, 1971.

Our Z - K - S forces stubbornly and heroically fought the enemy

and our valiant people supported them by all means and

we shed enough blood and tears to make our country

free from the shackle of dependence and

the yoke of domination from the foreign nation.

But those brutish but evil force of cowards

Yahya- Tikka gong could not withstand the heroic Bangalee nation.

The morale of this nation was stronger than

those forces of the brutes. They had to surrender

to our allied Indo-Bangladesh liberation force

on the sixteenth day of December 1971.

We fought the enemies and won the freedom of our country.

The writing of the history of those fateful days in blood is done.

We are now an independent and sovereign nation.

We rejoice today that crowned Bangladesh with victory.

Our green land and the red sun on our sovereign standard

symbolise our spirit of life and strength of mind

ever inscribing harmonious and peaceful free country.

We solemnly pledge to defend our freedom and sovereignty

with our high morale of the liberation spirit

in course of every odd and adversity.

We, the heroic people of Bangladesh shall remain ever free.

Our Bangladesh is the core of our heart and soul-we love our country.

Doomsday

Md. Maiz Uddin

On the doomsday we are to recapitulate

The deeds and formalities to God

Just to save ourselves but not

having the punishment for our misdeeds

Done on the earth.

Helping the miserable people

When in need,

But one didn't pay heed

To the divine order

How will he now cross the border?

No opportunity is there to be freed

No ability is there to be saved

But to beg mercy to God

Might he show thee mind his broad.

Sunny, the journalist!

M. Zahidul Haque

Morning has broken

Crows has spoken

Sunny has risen

Hearing the clock's siren!

Today was the first day

As an apprentice Journalist,

In daily -

'The Mongol Groho Today'.

Quickly Sunny brought out

His Editor's handout

To search,

How to draw a news lay-out.

NEWS defined as,

Anything visual or audio-visual

happening in North, East, West,South,

Including trafficman taking bribe,

A police Surgent imposing a fine!

The last resort to explore a news

is to visit dot.com online!

Sunny ran fast

Towards the East,

Sensing the smell of a big feast.

Yes, some big-wigs there

Busy in making a deal.

Hey,You!

Why are you gazing at me,

A huge guy warns

NotSirt. I am Sunny,

Searching a news,

Nothing so amusing or funny!

Understand, Honey!

You need some money, The boss-type guy exclaimed-

Abandon the story about our deal,

Feel free and join in our meal!

Butt.Sir,

Sunny murmured-

Your offer is beyond my journalistic ethic

I cannot share this

in terms of your arithmetic!

I shall reportt..

What I have seen.

Smart boy!

The boss chimed,

Go to hell,

Tomorrow, your Boss's boss

will come to ring my bell

And your journalistic ethic

Will be put on sale!