Chattogram, the birthplace of Bijoy Mela

The word "Bijoy Mela" has got its own identity. Bijoy Mela or Victory Fair bears the memories of the Liberation War in 1971 which was achieved through a valiant struggle. On December 16 this year, the independent Bangladesh will complete its 48 years. On that day, the Victory Day will be celebrated. Bijoy Mela will also be organized throughout the country.

The preparation for the celebration has already been started at Chattogram Outer Stadium. But it is noticeable that the history of the celebration of Bijoy Mela is only 30 years. The Victory Day has been being celebrated for 48 years. The reason is that the Bijoy Mela was started in 1989. The six-day-long first Bijoy Mela was held from December 12, 1989 on the premises of Chattogram circuit house.

Former Mayor Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury informed that he was engaged with the fair from the beginning because he was then Chattogram Municipal Corporation Administrator. He said he was the sponsor of the first Bijoy Mela. He also provided logistics, financial and administrative assistances for the fair.

Asked how he was involved with Bijoy Mela, he said Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Chattogram Bureau Chief and later Managing Director Azizul Islam Bhuiyan and a freedom fighter Faroque-E-Azam came to him. "They discussed with me starting a Bijoy Mela and I accepted their concept." 

Talking to Daily Azadi newspaper, he said, "I am fortunate that I was one of the eyewitnesses of the great moment at Race Course Ground where Lieutenant General [Jagjit Singh] Aurora and Lieutenant General [AAK] Niazi signed the instrument of surrender. When I came back I saw that the then generation started to forget the memories of the Liberation War.

When Azizul Islam and Faroque told me about the concept, I immediately accepted their thoughts. Keeping them in my residence, I phoned the then GOC Major General Abdus Salam who was later elected as the Member of Parliament from Awami League.

When asked about the discussion with GOC, Mamudul Islam Chowdhury said, "The GOC first asked me what I want. I answered I want to get permission to arrange a Bijoy Mela on the premises of circuit house. In reply he said 'I can't say no to father of the city'. He told me to send someone to me with application."

The former mayor said, "I immediately made the arrangement to get the permission for the fair. After getting the permission for the premises, all the arrangements were taken to arrange the Bijoy Mela. Then Azizul Islam and Faroque discussed with me forming a committee.

To the best of my knowledge, I can remember Advocate Abul Kalam Azad (former president of Chattogram Bar) and Nur Jahed Monju (son of MA Aziz) were in the committee. Rana Das Gupta was also with us.

I was the chief patron. Faroque-E-Azam was the president and Azizul Islam Bhuiyan was secretary." Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury informed that after formation of the committee, the president and the secretary asked him for the fund for the mela. "For collecting money for the mela, I phoned Nurul Islam BSc, a former minister.

Nurul Islam gave Tk 50,000 for the mela. Abdullah Al Hasan, brother of BNP Vice-Chairman Abdullah Al Noamn, also donated Tk 50,000. I advised the committee to publish a souvenir on the mela.

I made funds by bringing advertisement from City Corporation. A large amount money was managed from advertisement." Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury said a temporary office was set up for Bijoy Mela at a tailoring shop beside Apollo Shopping Complex. "I inaugurated the office as the mayor and chief patron. After the inaugural of the temporary office, personnel from the then detective branch tried to stop me.

I told them that the most of the incidents of the Liberation War took place in Chattogram. For this reason, we started a Bijoy Mela. What wrong we did. After the fall of the government of General Ershad on December 6, Mohiuddin Chowdhury engaged with the Bijoy Mela in 1992 or 1993.

Abdullah Al Noman also organized the Bijoy Mela for some years. They arranged the mela in front of their party office but it was closed later. By the passage of time, the Bijoy Mela has spread across the country.

Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury said, "I am happy to have been engaged with this unique thing from the beginning which bears the consciousness of Liberation War and it is a great complacence for me."