Based on Bengali nationalism, Hridoye 71 (71@HEART) convened a consultation meeting on 25 November at a community hall in East London to establish a democratic and secular Bangladesh that upholds the values of the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.
Artists, writers, journalists, professionals, freedom fighters and the Bengali diaspora attended the meeting. At the commencement of the meeting, Dewan Gous Sultan, a distinguished community leader and valiant freedom fighter, warmly greeted the attendees and delivered the welcoming address, embodying the aspirations and objectives 71. Dewan Gous Sultan stated, “The golden Bengal of our aspirations, attained through the sacrifice of 30 lakh martyrs and the courage of three lakh heroines, is currently enduring a significant crisis. We aspire to establish a prosperous nation.”
He added that we must preserve these esteemed histories and traditions, our red and green flags, and our national anthem. Our objective is unequivocal: we aim to advance by safeguarding and preserving Bangladesh’s rich history and traditions.
Dewan Gous Sultan chaired the meeting, which attracted individuals from diverse backgrounds. They provided feedback, presented helpful speeches, and proposed measures to enhance the expatriates’ platform’s effectiveness and influence.
The meeting attendees included Dr Ruab Uddin, Dr Azizul Ambya, Rabeya Zaman, Jotshna, Advocate Mujibul Haque Moni, Murshid Uddin Ahmed, Cllr Sham Islam, Cllr Sherwan Chowdhury, Abu Hussain, Dononjoy Paul, Abdur Razzak Mollah, Nazrul slam Okib, Shahab Uddin Ahmed Bachchu, Haradon Bhoumik, Alimuzzaman, freedom fighter Enamul Haque, freedom fighter Foyzur Rahman Khan, Shahadat Ali Shumim, Lipi Ferdousi, Jalil Chowdhury, Moniruzzaman, Mifatul Noor, Lipi Haldar, Shamsur Sumel, Shah Faruk amongst others.
Some important decisions were taken in the meeting, including establishing a Facebook group named 71@HEART on 1 December, the first day of the month of Victory, to encourage all to submit constructive writing and disseminate it through this extensive communication platform in Bengali and English to document the history of the Liberation War.
On 16 December, 71@HEART will celebrate Victory Day with a vigil, music performance, and rally at 6:00 PM at the Shaheed Minar in East London (Altab Ali Park).
And to effectively address Bangladesh’s significant social, economic, and political challenges, it is essential to approach the situation with a constructive mindset. 71@HEART intends to actively engage with key international stakeholders, including the British Prime Minister, various ministers, and Members of Parliament from diverse political parties and collaborate with respected international human rights organisations.
By fostering open and productive dialogue with these influential groups, 71@HEART aims to raise awareness and build international public support, facilitating the establishment of a systematic and democratic constitutional government. This transition would replace the existing undemocratic system, paving the way for a brighter and more stable future for all Bangladeshi citizens.
During the discussion, several alternative options were considered for implementing more substantial actions, including increasing its membership via the WhatsApp group 71@HEART.