2024-03-08 00:50:20
On March 7, 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave a historic speech to the nation in an 18-minute speech at the Race Course Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan). This speech inspired the nation to jump into armed liberation war for freedom. In that speech full of directions for the rights and freedom of Bengalis, he declared in a thunderous voice: ‘This time’s struggle is our liberation struggle, this time’s struggle is our struggle for freedom’. In 2017, UNESCO recognized this speech as an important documentary heritage of the world.
‘Call-Ready’ was in charge of the sound system at that historic public meeting. Standing on the stage, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave the speech on the microphone of ‘Call-Ready’ that day. As a result, this microphone became a part of history. Despite its importance in historical judgment, the current owner of the institution thinks that ‘Call-Ready’ has not received proper respect or importance from the government. He also said that the microphone has been sent abroad for auction sale.
Last Tuesday (March 5) it is said that after talking to one of the owners of ‘Call-Ready’, Vishwanath Ghosh, they have sent the microphone used on March 7 to Mumbai for auction as it was not valued in the country. It will be auctioned in Germany. An organization in Mumbai is handling the auction. Bishwanath Ghosh expressed his inability to name the institution.
‘Call-Ready’ is an integral part of the country’s history. From the language movement of 1952 to the United Front elections in 1954, the 6 points of 1966, the mass uprising of 1969 and the general elections of 1970, eminent politicians have given fiery speeches on the microphone of this institution. In this list are Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy, Sherebangla AK Fazlul Haque, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman among foreigners, South Africa’s undisputed leader Nelson Mandela, India’s Indira Gandhi, Pranab Mukherjee, former US President Bill Clinton and many others.
Haripad Ghosh on the left. In the picture on the right, Sheikh Hasina is inquiring about the treatment of the ill Dayal Ghosh
At present the institution is being looked after by Sagar Ghosh, Rana Ghosh, Vishwanath Ghosh and Shivnath Ghosh. They are four brothers. This reporter spoke to Bishwanath Ghosh. Earlier they wanted to give the microphone to the Prime Minister – when asked about it, Bishwanath Ghosh said in a tone of arrogance, ‘It didn’t work.’
‘Now all programs are through events. If the eventers call us, we go through the event. But we are not getting the program directly anymore. The direct connection we had before is no longer the same. The bottom line is that call-ready is not being evaluated correctly.’ Said Bishwanath Ghosh.
He also said, ‘Everyone is earning crores of rupees. Everyone is getting everything. Everyone has become the owner of thousands of crores of rupees. But our staff, whatever we did, refused recognition, even if our staff was honored for Rs 10,000, I would have thought that there was an eye on us.’
Bangabandhu was acquainted with his father. Bangabandhu used to spend time in this area. Tofail Ahmed said they used to hang out in our shop. I heard this from my parents. Nirmalendu Guna also wrote. We have nothing more to give. The party with which we have been associated for so many years; Since 1947, that party has not seen us.’ Bishwanath Ghosh said with anger.
What do you think is the reason for not getting work? In this context, Biswanath said, ‘Asaduzzaman Noor’s Asiatic, if he takes all the work packages together, then what are we left with? Comes to me only for 60 mics. I will not go for this job. If necessary, I will close the institution.’
What is the condition of the microphone on which Bangabandhu spoke on March 7? When asked to know, Bishwanath Ghosh said in an angry voice, ‘These are no more now. You news one – Bangabandhu’s 7th March historical equipment disappeared!’
When was the microphone last used? In response to this question, he said, ‘We gave them when the movie was made about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Arifin gave a speech in the movie Shubo with that real microphone. I put it on myself. At that time they told us to promote Call-Ready for 10 seconds in the movie. I spoke with the coordinator who was in Bangladesh. Even if it is for 10 seconds in the movie, there will be a promo that is call-ready thanks. And something will be written about us; Be it at the end of the movie or the beginning. 5-10 seconds didn’t even matter. It has not been announced that it will be released. Far from being honored, they didn’t even send me a ticket to see the movie.’
When asked to see the microphone, Bishwanath Ghosh said, ‘You cannot write. I can say as a brother – it went abroad for auction. A Bombay company will auction it. Hasn’t gone to Germany yet, is in Bombay.’ (Bishwanath Ghosh granted permission to publish this information at one stage of the conversation)
In this context, researcher, essayist Muntasir Mamun said, ‘If they think they will get a lot of money there, they will give it. And if they think that their honor will increase, they will keep the things of the country in the country, then they can give it to the genocide museum. If they want to pay, we will keep it. They will have names. And if they think that there will be no honor without money, then they will sell it.’
According to the history of the name Call-Ready, the name is kept from the idea that the organization is ready when those who hire Mike call. That is, if you call, the mic will reach quickly. It is to be noted that two brothers named Haripad Ghosh and Dayal Ghosh started a shop called ‘Arju Light House’ in old Dhaka in 1948. Initially they did lighting work but later they added sound system to the business.
It is known that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called Haripad Ghosh and Dayal Ghosh at Dhanmondi residence before the historic 7th March. He ordered the installation of microphones in the race course grounds. After that, more than one hundred microphones were installed at the public meeting place. Call-Ready started the work of preparing the microphones in the darkness of the night three days before the rally. Some mics are also kept in Dhaka University. At that time, the institution worked ignoring the fears of the Pakistani rulers.