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Fifty

The Sun’s Daughter

Freedom, War, and the Birth of a Daughter from the Sun

Our house was called pothikabash: a haven for travellers. It was in Monipuri Para. The year was 1971; the month was March. I was nine months pregnant. My first daughter was on her way after three years of marriage.

Nineteen Seventy One

My husband, once active in politics, was still connected. Our family waited for him to come home at the end of the day. . “The country is on the brink of a war,” he whispered. The brutal Pakistani regime had tyrannised the Bengalis.

The 25th March was the night of darkness. But I think the sun rose on Bangladesh for first time that following morning.