POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Dec 18, 2023 The People’s Relief Committee (PRC) in Kolkata provided medical care to thousands of freedom fighters during the 1971 India-Pakistan War.
Bangladesh gained its independence on Dec 16, 1971 following the war.
Commemorating its contribution, the Trinamul Women’s Initiative Society of Bangladesh gave a commemorative award to PRC on the Great Victory Day.
Dr. Fuad Halim, General Secretary of People’s Relief Committee, formally received the honor in a ceremony in Sylhet on today.
It can be noted that during the Indo-Pakistani War in 1971, thousands of refugees from East Bengal took shelter in West Bengal. People’s Relief Committee (PRC) was the only health care institution in West Bengal engaged in medical services at that time.
Relief centers were opened in Ranaghat, Bangaon, Basirhat, Hasnabad, Kienganj, Gende, Kalyani, Balurghat areas.
Many wounded and injured freedom fighters were cured by providing them with blood donation, food and drinking water.
This kind of outstanding contribution was highlighted by the world media at that time. Local youth and women with the PRC served the freedom fighters day and night at that time.
It should be noted that while carrying out these activities, the then fascist system of West Bengal created various obstacles. But the youth and women resisted them.
According to the People’s Relief Committee, medical and relief operations were conducted in various border areas in Khulna, Jessore, Kushtia, Rajshahi, Thakurgaon Panchagarh, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Comilla districts.
In addition, the PRC built a children’s hospital in Chittagong.
While speaking at the function in Sylhet, Dr. Fuad Halim became overwhelmed with emotion as he reminisced about that time.
Fuad Halim said in a speech at the event that poor people have no right to live in capitalist civilization. People’s poverty has gone up due to the price of goods. Medical services are not within the reach of poor people. Scarcity is increasing day by day. People are living under severe unemployment.
He said, there should be an organized fight against poverty as well as the fascist system.
Dr. Nazra Chowdhury, Dr. Sapnil Mahato, Dr. Sabrina Ahmed, Dr. Safisa Shabnam, Himangsu Mitra, Anita Dasgupta, Fatema Sultana, Nadira Chowdhury Rumu, Mitu Roy, and Sikandar Ali of the Central Committee of Bangladesh Workers’ Party were present on the occasion.
