Nothing has been done to keep memory of language hero Salam alive

Fifty-three years have been elapsed since the demise of Salam, one of the martyrs of great language movement, nothing tangible has been done to keep the memory of the language hero alive. Even, the demand of changing the name of his village Laksmanpur to Salamnagar was not fulfilled.

bdnews24.com
Published : 16 Feb 2005, 12:00 PM
Updated : 16 Feb 2005, 12:00 PM
Feni, Feb 17 (BDNEWS) – Fifty-three years have been elapsed since the demise of Salam, one of the martyrs of great language movement, nothing tangible has been done to keep the memory of the language hero alive. Even, the demand of changing the name of his village Laksmanpur to Salamnagar was not fulfilled.
The Community Primary School in his village bearing the memories of Salam is yet to be made public in 13 years after its establishment. About one kilometre long road linked to the main road from his house was not metalled. The demand of changing his village's name officially to 'Salamnagar' was not materialised.
Recently this correspondent talked to Abdul Karim, younger brother of Salam, at his home. Retired army constable Karim said Salam's blood stained shirt and two photos were given to language veteran Khaja Ahmed, also an Awami League leader of the district. But, the shirt and photos were not found any more after his death. Even, they do not have a single photo of Salam.
Only, they are now having an imaginary painting of Salam drawn by an artist.
He said Shaheed Salam was honoured with Ekushey Award in 2000. Abdul Karim himself received the award and certificate from the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
With sorrow and grief Abdul Karim said Laksmanpur Primary School bearing memories of Salam has not been renamed after his name till now.
He requested the Prime Minister to take necessary measures to materialise their expectations, which include naming Laksmanpur village as Salamnagar.
Meanwhile, the villagers have been calling the village as Salampur for some years. They themselves have hanged a signboard bearing the name of the village as Salampur. And the community centre of Feni district council and its stadium have been named after the name of Salam.
Ebaidul Huq, president of governing body of Laksmapur Primary School, told BDNEWS that Momin Mian of Laksmanpur village donated a piece of land in 1988 near the family graveyard of Salam to establish a school.
A tin-shed house was made there and that is being used as a school.
He said Laksmanpur Primary School was built at the initiative of Local Government and Engineering Department over a small piece of land with the fund of Saudi government in 1993. Three posts of teachers, including headmaster, have been lying vacant.
Rokeya, a teacher of the school, said they are facing many problems in running the school but she can not leave since it is bearing the memories of Shaheed Salam and for her feeling on the tiny-tot students of the school.
Bolkieter Nesa, younger sister of Salam, said the memories of Salam could be kept alive if their village and school are not named after Salam.
Salam, the eldest of four brothers and three sisters, was born in Laksmanpur village of Matubhuiyan Union, Dagonbhuiyan Upazila, 20 kilometres west of Feni town on November 27, 1925.
Being failed to continue his study due to financial crisis, he secured a post of peon at the 'Directorate of Industries' in Dhaka.
Being imbued with patriotism, Salam had joined language movement. He was in the procession on which police fired shots on 21 February 1952. Salam, along with a number of people, including Rafique, Jabbar and Barkat, received bullets.
After receiving the news over telegraph, Salam's father Fazil Mian, cousin Habib and neighbour Mokbul Ahmed rushed to Dhaka. Seriously injured Salam died on February 25 at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
On February 26, Shaheed Salam was buried in the Azimpur graveyard. Fazil Mian, Habib and Mokbul, among others, were present in the namaz-e-janaza of Salam held at the graveyard.
Salam's father Fazil Mian died in October 1976 at the age of 81. His mother Doulater Nesa (85) died in 1982, younger brother Shahabuddin (55) in 1999, younger sister Korfuler Nesa in 1999 and younger brother Abdus Sobhan (70) on April 8, 2002. His younger sister Bolkieter Nesa (65) and brother Abdul Karim (56) are still alive with memories of their elder brother Salam.
corr/ni/1527 hrs