The Press Club of India here has witnessed launching of senior Bangladesh journalist Nadeem Qadir's "Half Widow -- A Woman and the Bangladesh War", a book that top Indian newsmen described as a "revolutionary" addition to the 1971 War history.

 According to a press release received here today, the Indian journalists expected the book to internationally bring forward the role of women and inspire the new generation to uphold the values of the bloody conflict over 50 years ago.

Rubric Publications of Delhi launched the fiction like non-fictional book based on the author's personal memoirs largely focusing on his mother's agony.

 The family, for decades, believed him to be one who was in Pakistani captivity for his role in waging the Liberation War as a senior Bengali military officer until Qadir found his grave after a protracted investigation in the port city of Chottogram.
 
Rubric Publications head Dr. Bina Biswas hosted the ceremony which was attended by leading Indian journalists and Bangladesh High Commission officials in Indian capital.
"I am glad I could publish this unique book as I have a special love for Bangladesh," Biswas said, adding she wept as she went through the manuscript.
 
 Nadeem also introduced his other book "Media - A Silent Crisis in Bangladesh" published earlier this month in Dhaka.
 
 Welcoming Qadir, the Bangladesh high commission's press minister Saban Mahmud said the book was timely and part of relentless efforts by the author to uphold the spirit of the great Liberation War of 1971.
 
 "It is significant that he chose December - the month of Victory --- to launch the book and also at the Press Club of India at an important juncture when Bangladesh is fighting anti-Independence elements and religious extremists," he said.

 Eminent journalist and Press Club of India's former president Gautom Lahiri lauded the book's content and cover and said it would boost the values attached to the 1971 war among the young generation.

 "Nadeem Qadir can be credited for this 'revolutionary work' which is the war and the history of woman, his mother, representing the struggle many half widows faced in Bangladesh," he added.

 Lahiri added that the "Half Widow --- A Woman and the Bangladesh War" was published at a very "important time when Bangladesh is at crossroads".
 
Reputed columnist Shantanu Mukherjee termed the main character - Hasna Hena Qadir --- as a "Freedom Fighter of a different kind as refusing to believe her husband is dead is no mean fight."
 
 He added that "the title of the book is absolutely captivating and theme of the book is still more gripping. The war in this month of Victory reminded us of the war that Bangladesh and India fought together . . . I wish that the two countries progress together".
 
 Bangladesh mission's political counsellor Shafiul Alam said the book's main character, Nadeem's mother, was "definitely a Freedom Fighter" as she was in the forefront in demanding the trial of 1971 war criminals.
 
"The choice of (the book's launching) venue was a symbol of the strong bonding between Bangladesh and India," he added.

 Press Club of India's secretary general Vinay Kumar said the book is not only an emotional tribute to war widows but also tell the world what a war could do.
 "I congratulate Nadeem for taking time to write this book," he said.

 Mohua Chatterjee of the Times of India lauded the publication, saying it would help understand the role of women linked to the war one way or the other.

 "Not much has been written internationally about the role of such women and Nadeem may undertake an in-depth and detailed study for his next book," the senior journalist added.

 She said the book would also enrich Bangladesh's Liberation War history and "we are ready to extend any support to Nadeem if he undertakes the study".
 
 Qadir, who has been a journalist for over four decades and worked mainly for the international media, told the gathering that the book contained "true eyewitness account" and aimed at drawing attention of all about half widows like his mother, late Hasna Hena Qadir.
 
"She struggled with her three children and died waiting for her 'missing husband' Shaheed Freedom Fighter and Intellectual Lieutenant Colonel M Abdul Qadir after whom the Qadirabad Cantonment in Natore is named," he said.


Source: BSS