A little help from friends

On the eve of the 47th anniversary of the birth of Bangladesh, an Indian citizen recalls how he crossed the border to deliver vital supplies to insurgents — and cheated death
It was the end of November, 1971. The atmosphere in West Bengal was electric. There was a frisson of excitement and suspense. The fight for the creation of Bangladesh — once Pakistan-controlled East Bengal — was nearing its end.

I was 23 years old then, and had just joined the Central government. Bengalis all over were desperately seeking closure over the trauma of the 1947 Partition that cleaved a people who shared the same language, land, river and culture. Help for the Muktijoddhas — Bangladesh’s freedom fighters — poured in from the Indian side.

Members of our local club in Garia, South Calcutta, decided to send medicines and dry foods for the Muktijoddhas. A collection drive was organised among the local people and many who were otherwise tight-fisted responded overwhelmingly. A question remained: How were we to hand over the aid material in a war zone?

I came to know that one of my brothers-in-law, Abhijit Dasgupta, a freelance journalist at that time, was trying to interview a Pakistani army captain who had defected with his soldiers and was leading the fight for freedom. The club members proposed that I accompany my brother-in-law and hand over the aid. Enthusiastic about the Bangla war for liberation, I agreed. If only I knew what lay ahead!

Together with Dasgupta and his two friends, I started early one morning from what was Calcutta for Baharampur, Murshidabad, by car. From there we were to cross the Padma River to reach Natore, in then East Pakistan, and onward to Rajshahi, on the north bank of the Padma River. Agents on the other side had been alerted to arrange for our transport. I was thrilled at the prospect of not only witnessing a freedom fight first-hand but also at the thought of seeing and crossing the mighty Padma, immortalised in Bengali literature but out-of-bounds for those living in West Bengal.
Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com

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