On Mar 7, 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stepped as much as the microphone at Dhaka’s Race Course Maidan, now Suhrawardy Udyan, amidst the stress and hopes of a nation on the point of its combat for independence.
In a rousing speech, the nation’s founder proclaimed: “This time, our wrestle is for freedom. This time, our wrestle is for independence!”
His phrases, delivered via a Name Prepared microphone, ignited a fireplace within the hearts of hundreds of thousands, culminating in Bangladesh’s emergence as an unbiased nation on the world map via victory over Pakistan in a nine-month bloody warfare.
Many years later, the microphone, a silent witness to that historic second, faces oblivion, overshadowed by the shortage of preservation efforts.
Nobody has taken the initiative to protect it institutionally in unbiased Bangladesh, mentioned Sagar Ghosh, the son of Name Prepared’s founder who now serves as a director of the corporate.
In an act born out of desperation moderately than selection, Biswanath Ghosh, Sagar’s brother, mentioned the historic mic has been despatched to Germany as a result of it “doesn’t get the right recognition in our nation”. Preparations are underway to place it up for public sale, he added.
Researchers and lovers alike emphasise the necessity for verification to verify the authenticity of the microphone and advocate for its preservation via museums.
Jagannath College pupil Hasan Ali lives close to the Name Prepared store in Previous Dhaka;s Rishikesh Das Lane. “Each time you go by the store, it evokes recollections of the March 7 speech. The Name Prepared mic, seen in movies and pictures, has been part of many vital gatherings.”
Prof Muntasir Mamun, president of the ‘1971: Genocide-Torture Archive and Museum’ Belief, mentioned {that a} microphone believed to have been utilized by Bangabandhu is preserved within the Genocide Museum.
“Many microphones have been used again then. That microphone was often called ‘bullet’. Since there have been many [mics]they might have extra. These have to be verified and preserved.”
The Ghosh brothers, nonetheless, stand agency of their declare that the unique microphones stay with them, casting doubt on the authenticity of the museum’s piece.
Sagar asserts that they’ve by no means parted with any part of the microphone, leaving them perplexed as to the way it appeared within the museum’s assortment.
“The microphones from our assortment have been despatched overseas for public sale. It has travelled to Germany by way of Mumbai. A Mumbai-based firm is overseeing the public sale,” mentioned Biswanath.
Amid plans to public sale the enduring mic, Biswanath revealed that it made an look in Bangabandhu’s biopic, ‘Mujib: The Making of a Nation’.
“I personally arrange the mic for the filming. The filmmakers advised us they’d promote Name Prepared for 10 seconds within the film, however that did not occur. We weren’t even given any tickets when the film launched.”
BETWEEN LEGACY AND NEGLECT
Within the coronary heart of Previous Dhaka lies the store Name Prepared, as soon as a beacon of nationwide satisfaction. The store is alive with exercise, its employees immersed of their duties.
However the enterprise that after amplified the voice of a nation’s name for independence now stands as an emblem of forgotten legacy and mounting disgruntlement for the Ghosh brothers.
Sagar Ghosh shared his frustrations, tinged with a way of abandonment. “Journalists solely search us out as March 7 approaches. I am bored with this consideration that fades as shortly because it comes.
“Regardless of being featured in numerous newspapers, we have been left to fend for ourselves. The microphone enterprise has dwindled, but we’re nonetheless holding onto the household commerce.”
Reflecting on the historic artifacts of their possession, he mentioned, “We’ve the very microphone utilized by Bangabandhu on March 7, together with different gear that bore witness to pivotal moments in historical past. However no organisation has approached us about preserving these items. Some have been saved protected, whereas others have been misplaced to time.”
Requested concerning the whereabouts of the microphone used through the iconic March 7 speech, Sagar mentioned, “It is not in our retailer. Left right here, it might solely face wreck. Ought to the federal government or any establishment step ahead for its preservation, I am able to convey it forth.”
Echoing his brother’s sentiments, Biswanath lamented the shortage of recognition and assist from the circles they as soon as served intently.
“Our celebration, the Awami League, has been in energy for 15 years. Regardless of the riches amassed by many, Name Prepared’s contributions have gone unrecognised. A mere acknowledgment, even a small honorarium for our employees, would’ve meant acknowledgment of our efforts. However, we have been left within the shadows, by no means as soon as approached by the administration for help in all these years.”
Highlighting the altering dynamics which have marginalised conventional service suppliers like Name Prepared, he mentioned, “We now not get even a fraction of the prime minister’s engagements. These days, occasion administration companies handle all of the occasions. When these companies attain out, we render our providers at their occasions. Nonetheless, the direct connection we as soon as had [with the Awami League] is not there anymore.”
“Is a medal really actually price a lot? The celebration we have been loyal to since 1947 now not acknowledges us.”
Addressing the decline in enterprise, he defined, “The business is monopolised by a number of. A former minister’s organisation corners all of the contracts. What’s left for us? They are saying they’re going to present the sound system, this, that and the opposite whereas solely in search of 60 microphones from us for Tk 60,000.
“That is not possible for us. I would moderately shut down the corporate than settle for such undervaluing. Contemplating our historical past of serving the prime minister’s occasions, merely being requested to arrange 60 mics is disheartening. What extra can I say?”
THE QUEST FOR PRESERVATION
The relics of Name Prepared, etched deeply within the annals of Bangladesh’s wrestle for independence, await preservation.
Shahriar Kabir, president of the Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee of 1971, emphasises the significance of safeguarding these artifacts for future generations.
“Name Prepared’s function transcends March 7. It is a testomony to our nation’s resilience. Ought to their artifacts be authenticated as real, preservation efforts are crucial. It falls upon establishments just like the Liberation Conflict Museum, Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, Nationwide Museum, and Genocide Museum to take the accountability of safeguarding these artifacts.”
Requested if any initiatives had been taken to protect Bangabandhu’s March 7 microphone, Nazrul Islam Khan, member secretary and curator of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum, mentioned, “The matter is at the moment underneath the museum’s consideration. Including it into the museum’s assortment would require the belief’s approval or choice. For additional particulars, it might be advisable to talk with the belief straight.”
Mashura Hossain, CEO of the museum’s Board of Trustees, mentioned, “I have to verify if we’re already addressing this matter. Nonetheless, if anybody possesses any historic artifact they’d prefer to donate from their personal assortment, they need to attain out to the belief in writing, and the belief will contact them.
“It is usually necessary to confirm the authenticity of historic artifacts, such because the microphones or gear from that interval. They’ll solely be added to the museum’s assortment following the belief’s approval after thorough verification.”
Muntasir Mamun underscored the Genocide Museum’s dedication to the preservation of such historic artifacts. “Ought to anybody want to donate historic gadgets to us, we are going to honour their contribution by preserving these artifacts of their title. Every merchandise will bear thorough verification earlier than being included in our museum’s assortment.”
Preliminary discussions about buying Name Prepared’s historic microphone for the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum have been held, in response to officers. However they declare the representatives from Name Prepared have requested for a major sum for the microphone.
Moreover, the need of authenticating the artifact has led the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum authorities to maintain the problem into consideration.
Sagar Ghosh is just prepared at hand the microphone over to at least one individual: “I need to give it to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, or a member of Bangabandhu’s household. We can’t give it to anybody else. Others would possibly see it merely as a enterprise alternative. Ought to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina direct us, we are going to comply.”
CALL READY: A WITNESS TO HISTORY
The yr was 1948. Amid the recent wounds of partition, two brothers from Mathbaria village in Bikrampur, Dayal Ghosh and Haripad Ghosh, launched into a journey in Previous Dhaka’s Lakshmibazar that will finally outline their legacy.
They launched a microphone enterprise initially often called ‘I’m At all times Prepared, On Name At Your Service,’ or ARJA (Arju) Electronics.
Nonetheless, inside a yr, the enterprise was rebranded as ‘Name Prepared’. Initially, Arju Electronics catered to the lighting and decor wants of social occasions, with gramophones being a well-liked rental for weddings.
The store shortly gained fame, and with it, the demand for microphones surged.
The Ghosh brothers imported microphones from India to satisfy the rising wants. But, the demand far outstripped the provision. Utilizing his technical experience, Haripad Ghosh started assembling hand mics, procuring important parts and crafting elements with the expert artisans in his store.
Following the partition, as political actions in East Pakistan gained momentum, leaders and activists more and more sought out Arju Mild Home for microphone leases.
The demand continued to rise sharply, prompting imports from Taiwan, Japan, and China to maintain tempo. Haripad Ghosh’s ingenuity performed a pivotal function, as he mixed imported parts with regionally made elements.
Following the 1952 Language Motion, the demand for microphones for each social and spiritual gatherings surged, solidifying Name Prepared’s title as synonymous with dependable mic providers.
The ethos behind the title was easy but profound: “Have the mic prepared when individuals name.” The title quickly took the abbreviated kind, ‘Name Prepared’.
By 1954, Name Prepared’s crew had expanded to twenty workers, with extra arms introduced in as wanted. Throughout instances of elevated workload, Gopal Ghosh and Kanai Ghosh, the youthful siblings within the Ghosh household, stepped in to help.
The microphones provided by Name Prepared grew to become the voice of management and alter, amplifying speeches throughout important moments of Bangladesh’s historical past, together with the Language Motion, the United Entrance elections of 1954, the 6-point motion of 1966, the mass rebellion of 1969, and the final elections of 1970.
Other than Bangabandhu, nationwide icons corresponding to Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Sher-e-bangla AK Fazlul Huq, and quite a few others have articulated their visions and convictions via Name-Prepared’s microphones.
The legacy extends internationally, with figures like Nelson Mandela, Indira Gandhi, former US president Invoice Clinton, and former Indian president Pranab Mukherjee additionally lending their voices to audiences by way of Name Prepared microphones.
Bangabandhu used a Name Prepared microphone not only for his historic March 7 deal with, however upon his triumphant return to an unbiased Bangladesh on Jan 10, 1972, he as soon as once more selected Name Prepared as his medium of communication.
The custom was continued by Bangabandhu’s daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has additionally spoken via Name Prepared’s microphones.
