“I understood what freedom actually feels like”

On December 16, 1971, I was in the Dhaka Central Jail. Actually, I was arrested in October and was kept there for two long months, totally confined. Around 65 people were kept in a room fit for 15 people. I could not take a shower and was getting sick.

There, we did not have any interaction with the real world. Once in a while, we used to hear noises for a few moments and that was actually of journalists and media people. But we could never see them.

So on that very morning, around 11am, a gardener of Dhaka Central Jail informed us that we had earned victory and Pakistani soldiers had started surrendering.

Initially, I was overwhelmed, excited and surprised too as I did not expect this to happen so early. The first thought that came to my mind was – when will I reach home?

I did not have to wait longer. After a few minutes, the officer in-charge of Dhaka Central Jail visited and informed us that they were going to release us and drop us home.

So, when I hopped into the car I saw empty roads. Though I was happy, I was getting flashbacks of March 25, 1971. What I noticed was people did not start to celebrate immediately as Pakistani army was still in charge at that time.

I reached home at noon and saw a few of my neighbours waiting to welcome me. After a little interaction with them, I showered, had food and celebrated the victory at home with my family.

In the evening, I went to the roof to see the victory procession and that was the moment I understood what freedom actually feels like.