How have you commemorated Victory Day living abroad?
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Raunaq Alam: I’ve attended melas (carnivals/fairs) in the Dallas area with my family in the past. Bangladesh’s independence is part of my identity, it is part of my ancestry. I took some time to learn more about the actual day and the war, and I hope to honor and remember the shoheed (martyrs) because they died for a cause greater than themselves.
Sayeeda Jamilah: I recall my mother playing tapes of patriotic/folk music on the stereo while growing up. I don’t believe my family and I have not commemorated the day in other ways.
Brishty Khan: I have been lucky enough to be raised in a big Bangladeshi expat community in Dallas, and growing up, we observed Victory Day through the arts, such as natok (plays) and attending melas (carnivals/fairs) in the area. I was a very empathetic child, so perhaps recounting the atrocities impacted me emotionally more than other children.
As an adult, I have found December to be a very busy month (both professionally and given the month’s significance in the American Christian culture). And 12/16 sometimes takes a backseat to other deadlines and priorities. I still try to take some time to reflect on it with loved ones and share information about the day.
