East Bengal Regiment set up by Major Gani fought for liberation

The 68th death anniversary of Major Gani was observed at the RAWA Club in Dhaka on Wednesday.

The 68th death anniversary of Major Gani was observed at the Retired Armed Forces Officers' Welfare Association (RAWA) Club on Wednesday with speakers calling him the inspiration of liberation as the founder of the East Bengal Regiment which declared and fought the war.

Col. Oli Ahmed was the chief guest at the function. Prof Mahbubullah Maj Gen SM Ibrahim, Col. Abdul Haque, Chairman, and Col Abu Sayeed, secretary general, RAWA Club, Brig Gen Shahjalal, Col Tajul Islam Gani, and journalist Saukat Mahmud spoke at the function among others.

The programme was marked by the unveiling of a book 'Ekti jiban, ekti itihas' by Col Abdul Haque, offering of a special munajat and the screening of a documentary.

Col Oli Ahmed, Bir Bikram said that tales of the contribution of Major Gani and also the heroic fights of great freedom fighters who brought the independence of Bangladesh should have been in text books.

We are very jealous critical and cannot respect of those who are great.

Major Gani laid the foundation of freedom struggle by funding the East BengalRegiment,  he said.

Prof Mahbubullah said that the British resisted Bengalis form getting into the military since the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. Politicians created the political environment for independence. But the military leader Ziaur Rahman declared independence war and led it to a successful conclusion. We recall the contribution of Major Gani who pioneered the setting up of the Regiment.

Col. Abdul Huq, chairman, Rawa Club, in his keynote address said Major Gani pioneered the setting up defence capabilities when political leadership did not even think of it. This was the first step towards the independence of Bangladesh. Indian Gen Jakov said, had there been no EB Regiments there would not have been an independent Bangladesh.

Col Abdul Haque said Major Gani emerged as a comet in East Bengal and lived for only 42 years. He will live as a source of inspiration to younger generation.

Col. Tajul Islam Gani, son of Major Gani said we have a past to reflect upon. Our present is based on our past. Our present generation should realise this. In the past a lesson on Major Gani was in primary text books. He was demoted and discharged for refusing to speak in Urdu with Brig Ayub Khan.

Earlier, Col Abu Sayeed, Secretary Gen, RAWA club in his address of welcome traced the background of Major Gani's initiative to set up EB Regiment.