Revolutionary
Binod Bihari Chowdhur
(10.01.1911 - 10.04.2013)
(10.01.1911 - 10.04.2013)
Tribute
to a legend
Uday Sankar Das, from Chittagong
Uday Sankar Das, from Chittagong
Binod
Dadu, as we used to call him, was an out-and-out revolutionary till his last
day. The last of the living icons of the anti-British independence struggle,
Binod Bihari Chowdhury breathed his last at a hospital in Kolkata on 10th
April, 2013.
A close associate of Masterda Surya Sen, Binod Dadu took part in a number of movements and raids in the anti-British youth revolution in 1930. Under the leadership of Ananta Singh and Ganesh Ghosh, he took part in the armoury raid in the Chittagong Police Line.
He was a valiant fighter in the Battle of Jalalabad against the British, when for four days the young fighters had kept Chittagong isolated and liberated from the rest of British India. Binod Dadu was at the time on the wanted list by the British, and in order to escape from their wrath he had gone underground; and after moving from one place to another, he finally took refuge in Dhaka.
When the police got the information about his whereabouts, he returned to Chittagong but was arrested in 1933. Although he served a jail sentence from 1933 to 1938, he passed his graduation examinations with distinctions. In 1939, he completed his Masters in English and had also obtained a degree in Law.
After beginning his career as a journalist, he also at the same time joined the Chittagong Bar. But neither of these professions could attract him, and he never felt at ease. He later joined the Indian National Congress, and during the Quit India movement was again sent to prison for various terms.
In 1947, after the partition of India, many of Dadu's co-fighters opted to leave the country but, being the true patriot that he was, Dadu was totally committed to his birthplace and thus he had strengthened his roots in Chittagong further.
In erstwhile Pakistan, he was active in the Language Movement in 1952 along with various other political struggles; including the Mass Movement against the Pakistani regime in 1969.
Binod Dadu had always remained a man true to his ideals. He left his professions in journalism and law, and found more pleasure and satisfaction in teaching students at his home. He was eloquent in both English and Bangla. His task was "to create an enlightened youth."
My younger brother, Kaushik, being a student of his, often mentioned how Dadu would tell them many stories about his encounter with Masterda -- their meetings, their operations and so on. The students would listen to him in pin-drop silence at his house in Kadam Mubarak in Chittagong. Didimoni would come and scold him for such distractions, but his students would rather listen to his stories than learn about Bangla grammar.
Binod Dadu's ideal was human welfare. He was a patriot in all sense of the term, and that is why whenever there had been an issue involving common people he was seen taking his place in the front row.
Even when he was in his eighties, Dadu's voice had the power and boldness of youth. There was no mincing of words and he was true to his beliefs.
I had the rare honour and privilege to do an extensive interview of his for the Bangla section of BBC World Service Radio. I still remember introducing him as "a young man who has now entered into his 80s."
He never believed in luxury and lived his life in a tin-roofed house in a narrow alley off Momin Road in Chittagong. Despite winning many awards, including the Shadhinata Padak in 2000, he never changed his way of life. He remained steadfast to his ideals and beliefs throughout.
A glaring example of his love for his birthplace should also be mentioned: When his health was failing and he was being taken to Kolkata for treatment, he told his relatives that his last rites should be held in his hometown, Chittagong.
How befitting that this true son-of-the-soil's last wish has been fulfilled with full national honours.
Binod Dadu has left us all, but his ideals, thoughts and way of life will always remain as true examples to be followed by the generations to come.
A close associate of Masterda Surya Sen, Binod Dadu took part in a number of movements and raids in the anti-British youth revolution in 1930. Under the leadership of Ananta Singh and Ganesh Ghosh, he took part in the armoury raid in the Chittagong Police Line.
He was a valiant fighter in the Battle of Jalalabad against the British, when for four days the young fighters had kept Chittagong isolated and liberated from the rest of British India. Binod Dadu was at the time on the wanted list by the British, and in order to escape from their wrath he had gone underground; and after moving from one place to another, he finally took refuge in Dhaka.
When the police got the information about his whereabouts, he returned to Chittagong but was arrested in 1933. Although he served a jail sentence from 1933 to 1938, he passed his graduation examinations with distinctions. In 1939, he completed his Masters in English and had also obtained a degree in Law.
After beginning his career as a journalist, he also at the same time joined the Chittagong Bar. But neither of these professions could attract him, and he never felt at ease. He later joined the Indian National Congress, and during the Quit India movement was again sent to prison for various terms.
In 1947, after the partition of India, many of Dadu's co-fighters opted to leave the country but, being the true patriot that he was, Dadu was totally committed to his birthplace and thus he had strengthened his roots in Chittagong further.
In erstwhile Pakistan, he was active in the Language Movement in 1952 along with various other political struggles; including the Mass Movement against the Pakistani regime in 1969.
Binod Dadu had always remained a man true to his ideals. He left his professions in journalism and law, and found more pleasure and satisfaction in teaching students at his home. He was eloquent in both English and Bangla. His task was "to create an enlightened youth."
My younger brother, Kaushik, being a student of his, often mentioned how Dadu would tell them many stories about his encounter with Masterda -- their meetings, their operations and so on. The students would listen to him in pin-drop silence at his house in Kadam Mubarak in Chittagong. Didimoni would come and scold him for such distractions, but his students would rather listen to his stories than learn about Bangla grammar.
Binod Dadu's ideal was human welfare. He was a patriot in all sense of the term, and that is why whenever there had been an issue involving common people he was seen taking his place in the front row.
Even when he was in his eighties, Dadu's voice had the power and boldness of youth. There was no mincing of words and he was true to his beliefs.
I had the rare honour and privilege to do an extensive interview of his for the Bangla section of BBC World Service Radio. I still remember introducing him as "a young man who has now entered into his 80s."
He never believed in luxury and lived his life in a tin-roofed house in a narrow alley off Momin Road in Chittagong. Despite winning many awards, including the Shadhinata Padak in 2000, he never changed his way of life. He remained steadfast to his ideals and beliefs throughout.
A glaring example of his love for his birthplace should also be mentioned: When his health was failing and he was being taken to Kolkata for treatment, he told his relatives that his last rites should be held in his hometown, Chittagong.
How befitting that this true son-of-the-soil's last wish has been fulfilled with full national honours.
Binod Dadu has left us all, but his ideals, thoughts and way of life will always remain as true examples to be followed by the generations to come.
Very
few people conquer death and live on, inspiring us with their ideals. Binod
Dadu was certainly one of those few who have done exactly that and any tribute
to such a legend is timeless.
In
Tagore's words, Dadu would be saying:
"The
day has dawned and the lamp
That lit my dark corner is out.
A summons has come
And I am ready for my journey.
My salutation to you all."
That lit my dark corner is out.
A summons has come
And I am ready for my journey.
My salutation to you all."
Binod
Dadu, our salutations to you. We shall never forget you.
=================================================================
The writer is a senior journalist
who worked for BBC World Service Radio and is presently based in Chittagong
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