‘The Concert for Bangladesh’ United friends of Bangladesh (Book Launch)

Summary

This book predominantly discuses not only the history of Bangladesh but also from a global perspective as to how the chain of events leading up to the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war impacted geopolitically. It was a great pleasure for both of us to have collaborated and worked jointly on this huge and vast piece of current history. The idea first to write about this book came about a few years ago when both of us were reading the pieces of the 1971 liberation war and in that context we came about some original pieces of advertisement and the LP vinyl disc records of the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh.

This book starts with a timeline of Bangladesh's history which outlines the significant years and the events leading up to the Bangladesh liberation war of 1971. It is then followed by 5 chapters and in the end we have concluded with a list of references and an index. The first chapter outlines the beginning of the war for liberation and its roots embedded in the general elections of 1970 and other natural calamities like cyclone Bola. It also outlines the political scenario in the region especially in neighbouring India and how the western democracies especially United states and England responded to the events of 1971. The second chapter lists out the core values and common interests of humanity, when both these maestro's came together and created something remarkable first time in the history of mankind. Probably the unique concert to aid and assist the sufferings of people far away. In the third chapter we examined the role of other activists and intellectuals especially in the United States of America who went contrary to the government policies of patronage to the West Pakistani regime. We also examined closely how these events were probably inspired by the concert and the generation of global headlines to spread the word of terrible suffering and barbaric treatment of the Bengali people.

In the fourth chapter we focus our attention and findings to the great legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar and George Harrison, their lives, their friendship, their expertise and their personal connect connexion which came into being. At the core of this bonding was the unshakable foundation of friendship which eventually culminated in this concert reality. In the Fifth chapter we presented a snapshot view of the key and prominent members of this terrific team without whom this concert would not have been possible at all. The last chapter we giving some overarching views and analysis of the birth of Bangladesh its ramifications not only in the Indian subcontinent but from a global perspective. We also try to present to our readers a neutral,  unbiased opinion of the chain of events which are backed up by globally accepted resources which have been highlighted as well.

The book has been translated into Spanish and Arabic languages as well for a larger global audience. 

About the Authors:

Priyajit Debsarkar –

He's an author and geopolitical analyst based in London. He has published multiple books predominantly focusing on the international relations and current affairs with special reference to East Pakistan and 1999 Kargil war. He also is a regular commentator on current affairs and writes columns in leading English and Bengali dailies including the Sunday Guardian in India, Bridge India foundation in London and Prothom Alo publication in Bangladesh. He's also a popular analyst in various geopolitical talk shows predominantly being broadcasted in north America, Europe and in South East Asia. 

Abu Sayed –

He is an imminent journalist from Bangladesh and works with special focus on the 1971 war of liberation. He has written multiple books on the same subject and regularly writes columns an analysis in leading newspapers from Bangladesh. One of his books examines the role of radio in 1971 which is quite unique. He also runs an NGO organisation (Mukto Ashor) promoting liberal cultural values and to raise awareness amongst the next generation of Bangladesh regarding the history and youth political activities pertaining to the Bangladesh liberation war. Apart from social activities he also has a publishing house (Swapno71 Prokashon Bangladesh) who publish books both in Bengali and English.