Netrokona: A day-long still photography exhibition was held in Netrokona on the occasion of the Great Victory Day, showcasing powerful visual narratives of the 1971 Liberation War and the 2024 July Uprising.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the exhibition was organised by the social and cultural organisation Udyam Learning and Social Development Center with the patronage of Dr. Lutfa Haque. It took place at the Municipal Art Gallery in Muktarpara of the district town. Professor Dr. Md. Anwarul Haque, President of the District BNP and a prominent physician, inaugurated the exhibition.
A total of 36 photographs were displayed, portraying the sacrifices of heroic freedom fighters during the 1971 Liberation War, the participation of people from all walks of life irrespective of gender, newspaper coverage from the war period, and the brutal atrocities and genocide carried out by the Pakistani occupation forces. The images also captured the silent resilience of mothers awaiting victory, the lifeless bodies of children killed by the occupiers, and other stark realities of the war. The sacrifices of the martyrs of the July Mass Uprising were given special prominence in the exhibition.
Speaking to BSS, chief patron Dr. Lutfa Haque said the initiative aimed to help the younger generation learn the true history of the Liberation War and uphold its spirit. She noted that independence was achieved through the collective sacrifices of people from all professions and classes. She further said that during the 17 years of authoritarian rule under the fallen Hasina government, the history of the Liberation War was presented from a single, monopolised perspective.
Curator of the exhibition and young photographer Khan Mahbub Alam Abid told BSS that people from various professions visited the exhibition throughout the day. He said such initiatives are increasingly necessary to instil the correct history and spirit of the Liberation War among the younger generation.
Young student leader Zubayer Hossain Jisan, who visited the exhibition, said that many in his generation grew up during an authoritarian period when they were taught a personality-centric version of history instead of an accurate account of the Liberation War. He said initiatives like this, especially in the post-July 2024 Mass Uprising period, deserve appreciation for promoting a neutral and truthful understanding of history.
Another visitor, Tasmia Tahura, told BSS that although the memories were presented through still images, the messages of 1971 and 2024 remained deeply vivid. She remarked that the Liberation War teaches the meaning of freedom, while July 2024 inspires determination for change and the dream of a corruption-free and fascism-free Bangladesh.