I am little bit older than your father and I remember the Pakistani army on the streets. The army may have been segregated de facto before March 1971. However, that's not what the structure was supposed to be. East Pakistani officers were posted in West Pakistan and vice versa. After March 25, 1971, everything changed. The West Pakistani soldiers ambushed, arrested, and killed East Pakistani soldiers and most of them fled to form Bangladeshi Freedoom Fighters. Many officers fled from West Pakistan to join the war of Independence. The army soldiers patrolling the streets must have been overwhelmingly or even exclusively West Pakistani or Pakistani (for Bangladesh's independence was already declared). They were almost certainly not East Pakistanis. It is possible that the truck your father saw was made up of East Pakistani soldiers. However, that is virtually impossible. It is not realistic to expect your father to distinguish between East Pakistani and West Pakistanis at that age, particularly when they were in uniform with their helmets on. My brother, who was four, saw an army truck in our neighborhood during the war and ran in fear calling for my aunt who lived nearby.
You make a fair point. Thank you for taking the time to explain and educate! Had I the ability to edit, It would be corrected as you are right. Thanks again! :)
Extremely well-analyzed, yet compellingly emotional. Though written from afar, the article offers deep insights that capture Bangladesh's current landscape with striking clarity and detail. It will provide the second generation of Bangladeshis growing up in the U.S. a thoughtful lens to understand the complexities of what transpired—and why.
Firoze Chaudhuri is outstanding, especially when he delivers sharp punches like "In truth, she was an authoritarian in a sari", or "'Development' feels like a private club". He sums up the last fifteen years masterfully with, "They grew up in a nation... where success depends more on who you know than what you know."
Brilliant piece of writing! I always wanted to know how American born bangladeshi young minds view current situation! You have given more than that! Best wishes!
Very well-written, insightful op-ed regarding the current state of Bangladesh. This is worthy of publication in an international affairs magazine.
You are too kind as always. Thank you for the support :)
I don’t think the soldiers could be termed East Pakistani. They were Pakistani soldiers.
I am little bit older than your father and I remember the Pakistani army on the streets. The army may have been segregated de facto before March 1971. However, that's not what the structure was supposed to be. East Pakistani officers were posted in West Pakistan and vice versa. After March 25, 1971, everything changed. The West Pakistani soldiers ambushed, arrested, and killed East Pakistani soldiers and most of them fled to form Bangladeshi Freedoom Fighters. Many officers fled from West Pakistan to join the war of Independence. The army soldiers patrolling the streets must have been overwhelmingly or even exclusively West Pakistani or Pakistani (for Bangladesh's independence was already declared). They were almost certainly not East Pakistanis. It is possible that the truck your father saw was made up of East Pakistani soldiers. However, that is virtually impossible. It is not realistic to expect your father to distinguish between East Pakistani and West Pakistanis at that age, particularly when they were in uniform with their helmets on. My brother, who was four, saw an army truck in our neighborhood during the war and ran in fear calling for my aunt who lived nearby.
You shall be happy to know, that I have figured out how to edit on Substack. Still new to it! But the change has been made. Thank you again!
You make a fair point. Thank you for taking the time to explain and educate! Had I the ability to edit, It would be corrected as you are right. Thanks again! :)
Extremely well-analyzed, yet compellingly emotional. Though written from afar, the article offers deep insights that capture Bangladesh's current landscape with striking clarity and detail. It will provide the second generation of Bangladeshis growing up in the U.S. a thoughtful lens to understand the complexities of what transpired—and why.
Firoze Chaudhuri is outstanding, especially when he delivers sharp punches like "In truth, she was an authoritarian in a sari", or "'Development' feels like a private club". He sums up the last fifteen years masterfully with, "They grew up in a nation... where success depends more on who you know than what you know."
It's devastating, but it's the truth.
this is an awfully kind response. Thank you for taking the time to read it :).
Brilliant piece of writing! I always wanted to know how American born bangladeshi young minds view current situation! You have given more than that! Best wishes!
As always, my main supporter. Thank you for the kind words :)