Overcoming the hustle and bustle of mechanical expatriate life, the Red Rose Function Centre in Sydney transformed into a little piece of Bangladesh last Friday (July 31). Illuminated by lights, expatriate Bangladeshis gathered in this auditorium driven by emotion, history, and a pull toward their roots. The occasion was the long-awaited publication festival of the book 'Gamma Abdul Kader, Proshantoparer Bangali Nabik'. When the event began with the resonance of the national anthems of Australia and Bangladesh, a deep tune of patriotism echoed in the heart of every expatriate present.
The event reached a unique height under the chairmanship of educationist Professor Dr. Sultan Mahmud and through the vibrant presentation of Dr. Sakhawat Nayan. Keynote speaker, eminent writer and columnist Ajay Dasgupta, vividly presented the unsaid stories of expatriates hidden deep within the book to the audience.
Shafiqul Alam, Dr. Sirajul Haq, Ashish Bablu, Rokea Ahmed, and Al Noman Shamim spoke as guests. All of them unanimously recalled the unsaid self-sacrifice of expatriates. At this time, Dr. Mohammad Ali, Anila Parveen, Atiqur Rahman Shuvo, and Dr. Abul Hasnat Milton took part in reader feedback.
The most emotional moment of the event came when Gamma Abdul Kader's grandson and granddaughter stood on the stage and reminisced about their grandfather. Driven by blood and ties, as they told the story of Gamma Kader's life struggle, a deep impression of respect and love emerged in their voices, which stunned the entire auditorium. Tears of joy and memory rolled down the eyes of many in the audience at that time.
Chief guest S. M. Abraham Lincoln, an Ekushey Padak and Independence Award-winning luminary, said with deep regret in his speech that in many cases today we do not pay attention to our main identity, history, and roots. And this very indifference is the root cause of our multidimensional crisis today. The book not only portrays the individual life of Gamma Abdul Kader but also paints an accurate picture of the life struggle of ordinary people fighting abroad. Expatriates are constantly waging an invisible and difficult battle not only for their own fortune but also for the honor and economy of the country even while living in foreign lands.
He said that hidden within every fold of the pages of this book are the laughter and tears, joy and pain, and sighs of unfulfillment in the daily lives of expatriates. History is not built by a single individual. For those who will research immigrant life in the future, this book will remain an invaluable reference or historical document. Towards the end of the event, an emotional atmosphere was created. Everyone present felt that Gamma Abdul Kader is not just a sailor; he is a symbol of the self-sacrifice of thousands of struggling expatriates across the Pacific. This publication festival in Sydney was not just the emergence of a book; it was an intense yearning to hold onto one's roots while standing on foreign soil.
