Sirajganj, July 15 (V7N) - Marina Khatun from Tarash, Sirajganj, has made history as the first officially recognized war child in Bangladesh. The National Freedom Fighters Council (Jamuka) formally acknowledged her status with a state recognition letter.

On the morning of July 14, Marina received this significant letter from Mr. Ayub Ali, the postmaster of Tarash Upazila.

The decision to honor Marina was made during the 89th meeting of the National Freedom Fighters Council on April 25. Marina, the daughter of freedom fighter and Birangana Pachi Bewa from Tarash, was informed of her recognition through a letter signed by Jamuka's Deputy Director of Development, Mr. Pran Ranjan Ghatak, dated July 7.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Marina Khatun expressed her deep gratitude upon receiving the recognition. "I am incredibly grateful to everyone in the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs for this recognition. I also extend my thanks to the local freedom fighters and journalists who supported me," she said tearfully.

Marina revealed her family's dire financial situation, stating that despite having three sons and one daughter, none have been able to achieve financial stability. Her family's struggles were compounded by her husband, Omar Ali's recent illness, which has further strained their finances. Marina has appealed to the government for a state honorarium for war children.

Former Commander of the Tarash Upazila Freedom Fighters Parliament, Bir Muktijoddha Mr. Arshedul Islam, praised the recognition. "We express our gratitude for Marina Khatun's recognition as the country's first war child and urge the government to provide her with a state honorarium," he said.

The tragic backdrop of Marina's life dates back to the 1971 Liberation War when her mother, Pachi Bewa, the widow of Fazil Akand, was handed over to the occupying forces by local Razakars. She endured brutal torture, resulting in her pregnancy and Marina's birth.

On September 8, 2022, Marina applied for state recognition as a war child through the Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner. In her application, she highlighted that her mother had been recognized as a Birangana freedom fighter by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs on July 4, 2018, under gazette number 205. This recognition formed the basis for Marina's application for her own recognition as a war child.

END/MSH/SMA/