তবু— স্মৃতিরা নানা কথা কয় . . .

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আমাদের প্রিয় নানী আনোয়ারা খানম | ছবি: মনিরুল আলম

সকাল বেলা বুবলী আমাকে জানালো—নানী মারা গেছেন ! আমি মা’র রুমে গেলাম ; দেখি মা সোফায় বসে কান্না-কাটি করছেন | বড় মামা ফোন করে জানিয়েছেন — তাদের মা আর নাই ! আমি ছুটলাম ওয়ারীর সালাউদ্দিন হাসপাতালে | নিথর দেহটা এক পাশে কাত হয়ে আছে; দেখে মনে হচ্ছে ঘুমাচ্ছেন ! নানী মারা যাবার সময় বড় মামা-মামী উপস্থিত ছিলেন | মামার কোলেই নানী শেষ নি:শ্বাস ত্যাগ করেন ! দিনটি ছিল—২৬ এপ্রিল ২০১৮ বৃহস্পতিবার সকাল নয়টা| নানী অসুস্থ হবার পর আমার এই বড় মামা-মামী সারাক্ষণ নানীর সেবা যত্ন করতেন |

নানীর সাথে আমার খুব একটা দেখা হতো না | অযুহাত হলো— সময় এবং ব্যস্ততা | কিন্তু নানী ঠিক খোজ-খবর রাখতেন সবার, তার নাতি-নাতনি আর নাত বউদের,তাদের সন্তানদের | নানীর বাসায় গেলে আমাদের জমিয়ে আড্ডা হতো| এই নানীর বাসাকে কেন্দ্র করে আমার ছোট বেলায় বেড়ে উঠা | স্কুল ছুটি শেষে আমরা নানীর বাসায় যেতাম,বাসার পিছনে বেশ কিছু ফলের গাছ ছিল—ছিল খেলার জায়গা; সেখানে আমরা বন্ধুরা মিলে খেলা-ধূলা করতাম |

ছোট বেলায় নানীকে খুব ভয় পেতাম | বড় হয়ে সেই নানী বন্ধু হয়ে গেল—হয়ে গেল প্রিয় মানুষ | নানী আমার বাবা’কে কখনো জামাই বলতেন না, বলতেন—তোর বাপ হইলো আমার আর এক—বেটা | আমার বাবা’কে সে খুব ভালোবাসতেন | প্রচন্ড ভালোবাসতেন তার বড় নাতিকে ( আমার বড় ভাই ) এই পরিবারে তাদের বড় নাতি ছিল—মধ্যমনি | বড় নাতিও ছিল নানা-নানীর অন্ধ ভক্ত |

নানী মারা যাবার এক সপ্তাহ আগেও নানীকে কোলে করে নিয়ে অনেকটা পথ হেঁটে গাড়ীতে উঠানো হলো হাসপাতালে নেওয়ার জন্য | বড় নাতির কোলে করে নানী সেই যে বাসা থেকে বের হলেন— ফিরলেন নিস্তেজ—নিথর হয়ে ! চির দিনের জন্য চলে গেলেন—না ফেরার দেশে |

হ্যাঁ—আমাদের নানীর বয়স হয়েছিল, কিন্তু মানুষের মন কখনো আপনজনকে হারাতে চায় না ! আর তাইতো আমাদের অভিমানী ছোট মামা ( মনু মামা ) তার মায়ের বিছানায় বসে—মায়ের রেখে যাওয়া স্মৃতি খুঁজে ফেরেন ! নীরবে চোখের পানি ফেলেন ! বড় একা হয়ে গেলেন আমার এই অভিমানী মামাটি ! আর সেজ মামা সেতো খানিকটা অসুস্থা ! মায়ের জন্য দোয়া পড়ছেন সারাক্ষণ ।

আমার পাঁচ মামা আর তিন খালা এবং আমার মা—তাদের বাবা-মা’র প্রতি ছিল প্রচন্ড আবেগ তাড়িত —ভালোবাসা ! যদিও নানী’কে তার সব সন্তান ভয় পেতেন খুব | অন্য দিকে তাদের পুলিশ বাবার কাছে ছিল—নানা প্রশ্রয় | নয় ভাই বোনের এই বিশাল সংসার— নানী একা সামাল দিতেন | মানুষকে প্রচন্ড ভালোবাসার ক্ষমতা ছিল— আমাদের এই নানীর |

মেজ মামা আমাকে একদিন ফোন করে বললেন—তোর নানীর একটা ছবি তুলে দিস, ব্যাংকে লাগবে | আমি শত ব্যস্ততা এড়িয়ে নানীর এই ছবিটি তুলেছিলাম | এই ছবিটা আমার কাছে—এক টুকরো স্মৃতি হয়ে থাকলো | আর উত্তরকালের প্রজন্ম হয়তো—এই ছবিটি দেখে জানবে তাদের অতীত ইতিহাস| এই রকম একজন ছিল—একদিন; সে আর নাই কোন দিন . . .

পুরান ঢাকা | ৪ মে ২০১৮
ছবি: মনিরুল আলম

Justice for Irfan . . .

Drik and Pathshala formed a human chain and to protest against killed and to demands justice for Irfan during the first death anniversary of Irfanul Islam at Shahbagh in the capital Old Dhaka, on 02 April 2017. Irfan was found dead in the bushes beside the Dhaka-Narayanganj Link Road in Jalkuri area of Narayanganj on the evening of April 2 last year.

monirul alam

02 April 2017

Dhaka, Bangladesh

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Nepal – Resilience and Reasons by Abir Abdullah 

 

“Photography has been a tool to discover stories from people and share it to the world. It is a job with humanity and responsibility.” – Abir Abdullah / EPA Photojournalist
That time is late afternoon, a beautiful light ray fall on the destruction old building in Nepal ! What’s going on here ? Why photojournalist taking pictures in this ruins building ? Where it’s people ? Yes, the answer is still one; An Earthquake ! It registered 7.8 on the richter scale. Recently the whole world becomes speechless to see the destruction of human loss and historical property in Nepal. A 55 seconds quake killed more than 8,0000 people injured ore than 18,000 in different parts of Nepal.
Number of international media was there to cover this horrified destruction of human lives and property. A Bangladeshi noted photojournalist Abir Abdullah one of them to cover it and his bring back to made a solo photography exhibition title “Nepal-Resilience and Reasons held this week ( 5-11 June 2015 ) at Gallery Chitrak in the capital of Dhaka, Bangladesh. About his exhibition Abir said, The quake was felt as far as some places in India and Bangladesh, is important to aware our people to prepare for such calamities in a country like Bangladesh where building are built without confirming to the building codes, erecting unplanned structure and what not. At the same I would like to show solidarity of Bangladeshi people with towards the beautiful people and the country of Nepal.
Abir arrived in Nepal on the second day of the quake to cover the devastation. He witnessed the fear and tear of the people who lost their loved ones,families and neighbors. He travelled major affected areas documenting the catastrophe of nature and the struggle of the surviving people. His eyes and his camera recorded once again how defenseless we humans an against the forces of nature. This documentary evidence shown the resilience of this friendly people of Nepal started rebuilding their lives again.
Biography

Abir Abdullah is an epa photographer based in Bangladesh.

Abir Abdullah was born in 1971. Started photography career in 1996 at Drik Picture Library, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is currently working for the European Pressphoto Agency (EPA) as Bangladesh correspondent.

Photographs published in Blink, Time, Newsweek, Der Speigel, New Internationalist, Guardian, International Herald Tribune, Asiaweek, Elmundo, Stern, Geo etc.

Abir’s sensitive work on environmental issues is especially notable. His numerous awards include Mother Jones, NPPA, Days Japan, and Islamic Unity-Iran.

He completed the three year seminar ‘Pleasure of Life’ assigned and supported by World Press Photo Foundation Netherlands. His photographs have been exhibited in Europe, South America, Asia and the U.S. His work has been published in the World Press Photo book New Stories and Phaidon Press’ Blink.

Abir Abdullah also jury in China International Press Photo Contest in China in 2008. World Press Photo Contest in Amsterdam in 2011. His web site http://www.abirphoto.com

Exhibition Review by Monirul Alam

Savar Tragedy Victims | Bangladesh

Pakhi Begum 25, lost both of her legs in the Rana Plaza building collapse. Pakhi works as a machine operator on the fifth floor of the nine-storey building when it collapsed in April 24, 2013. Her legs trapping under the concrete bar, her husband Jahangir Alam 30, and her two daughters said, we are very happy to see her alive, when lots of people were either missing or dead. Several injured victims like Pakhi they are admitted in Savar and Dhaka different hospital for the treatment here is some critical patient who are admitted at Enam Medical College and Hospital in Savar.

Reports state that the death toll rose over 540 ( update 4 May, 2013)  and many more still missing, according to a senior military official leading rescue operations at the spot. 52 bodies were recovered on 03 May 2013 after the eight-storey building Rana Plaza housed mostly garment factories which collapsed on 24 April 2013.

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Shooter Diaries | Rana Plaza |01

Warning

Bangladesh’s garment industry has grown rapidly during the last decade. The Ready Made Garment, RMG, sector contributes 76% of the total export earning of Bangladesh. Recently an eight-story block housing factories and a shopping center on the outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka collapsed on April 24 morning killing at least 430 more ( update, 2 May 2013) people. Rescuers fear the death toll may rise significantly. Local citizen, fire fighters, army personnel,police, volunteers joined  to rescue them. A number of workers  garment factories in Savar alleged that they were forced to work in the morning. Most of the victims who have been rescued from under the debris in the afternoon are dead. The injured and dead victims were rushed at Enam Medical College and Hospital in Savar to hand over victims’ relatives for burial.

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Dozens Killed in Savar Building Collapse

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April 24, 2013 – Dhaka, Bangladesh – A garment worker lies trapped in the rubble. At least 124 people have been killed and many more are feared trapped after an eight-storey building collapsed in the Savar area on the outskirts of the capital, government officials say. (Credit Image: © Monirul Alam/ZUMAPRESS.com)

© Monirul Alam
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April 24, 2013 – Dhaka, Bangladesh – The daughter of a woman killed in the collapse mourns over her body. At least 124 people have been killed and many more are feared trapped after an eight-storey building collapsed in the Savar area on the outskirts of the capital, government officials say. (Credit Image: © Monirul Alam/ZUMAPRESS.com)

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Last Tribute to Pay my President | Zillur Rahman

22 March 2013

Jatiya Eidgha,Dhaka,Bangladesh

So far I remember I took several pictures in his Gulshan residence in the period of caretaker government and lastly I took his pictures 2011 when UN’s chief Ban-ki Moon was visited in Bangladesh. May  I get another change to takes his pictures, during the last year International Mother Language day ( 21 february shaheed debosh) in central shaheed miner  BUT bad luck, He was fallen sick and not to attended that program. Finally he passes away on 20 march 2013 in Singapore mount Elizabeth Hospital . . .

Yes, I stand at Jatiya Eidgha ground to  pays last tributes to our Honorable 19th President Zillur Rahman, 84 year old.who was died on 20 March, 2013 in Mount Elizabeth Hospital with critical lung infections and other complications .The government has declared three-day mourning beginning Thursday, along with the main opposition BNP has been observing a three-day mourning. The national flag has since been flying  half mast across the country building and the Bangladesh mission abroad. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said to media, The country had lost guardian but word could not describe it.

His 2nd Janaza is take place at these ground, I see thousand of people attend a funeral prayers, that day is Friday, People attend his Nama-a-Janaza after Jumma prayers.Number of media already take there places for coverage at this event along with live telecast.

Around at 2.30 pm, his body came form the President residence to Jatiya Eidgha, a jeep caring his coffin, draped  in a national flag. All walks people including high profile took part in a Janaza. After the Janaza leaders recalled their memory with the veteran politician. Many broke down in tires last tributes through placing wreath on the coffin. Finally  his body carrying to buried at Gulshan graveyard  to eternal rest with full state honor, he buried  at his wife Ivy Rahman’s grave, Ivy Rahman died in the 21 August 2004 grenade attacks on an Awami League rally in the capital of Dhaka.

Presindent Zillur Rahman born in March 9, 1929 in Kishoreganj. who was elected member of Parliament in Bhairab 1973, 1986, 1996, 2001 and 2008. Zillur took office as the 19th president of Bangladesh

on February 2009.

Lastly, I took his pictures and than his coffin passing in front of mine, I lie down my camera and said, good buy my honorable president . . .

I pray to almighty Allah to grant him

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-monirul alam

home sweet home

dhaka / patla khan lane

 

 

 

 

 

4 killed, 50 hurt during countrywide Hartal in Bangladesh

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A  Madrasa students look at from their dormitory, their senior s fellow demonstration during the country wide down-to-dusk strike in the Kamrangir Char, Dhaka on 24 February, 2013. The eight Islamist parties enforced today’s strike protesting attacks on their Friday’s demonstrations, and demanding punishment to ‘atheist’ bloggers.© Monirul Alam

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No returning home before war criminals are hanged in Bangladesh

© Monirul Alam
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Thousands of people holds national flags and  took oath at   Rayerbazar Baddhabhumi (mass killing ground) in the capital in Dhaka 23 February 2013. They demand of death penalty to war criminals and ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) are fulfilled. Protests against Jamaat-e-Islami have been held in Dhaka since 5 February with demonstrators demanding the party’s leaders to be executed for war crimes committed during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 against Pakistan. © Monirul Alam

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All images and text in this site is copyrighted. http://monirul.photoshelter.com/  Please don’t use any image without written permission. Please contact monir4@yahoo.com