I joined the 1947 Partition Archive as I feel passionately about this chapter of our history. It started as a weekend volunteering thing for me. But has become much more than that in recent months. I have met so many wonderful and fascinating people for this project. I feel honored and blessed.
My first interviewee of the day was Dr. Hameeda Hossain. She is the wife of a notable Bangladeshi lawyer, statesman and politician, Dr. Kamal Hossain. When I went to her house, Dr. Hameeda Hossain opened the door herself and welcomed me to her living room. She was kind and encouraging with her words. She speaks fluent Bangla even though it is not her mother tongue. Dr. Hossain was born in Hyderabad, Sindh (now in Pakistan) in 1936. She was born as Hameeda Akhund. Her father, Abdullah Shafi Mohammad Akhund was a judge and man with a progessive mind. It was not very common for Muslim girls to go to school in the 1930s in Sindh. Mr. Akhund sent all 3 of his girls to school and encouraged them for higher education. Little Hameeda went to a convent in Karachi. Those days, Karachi was a different city. People of all races and religions could go out freely. There was no discrimination against minority groups. There were many Hindu, Christian and Parsi families in Karachi. Partition came as quite a shock to many. Little Hameeda rode her bike to school. Often she would hear the slogan, "Larke Lenge Pakistan". But she did not quite understand the meaning of it.
After partition, she went to school and found herself among only 10-15 students. They were all Muslims, all Hindu, Sikh and Christians had migrated. At the same time, she saw trains full of passengers arriving from India. They were injured, helpless and alone. Her grandmother established a clinic and shelter for the refugees where she helped out.
Dr. Hossain graduated from the Welleseley College, USA and got her PhD from Oxford University. She lives in Dhaka with her family. She is the chairperson of Ain O Shalish Kendra of Bangladesh, a social worker and humanitarian.
Dr. Hameeda Hossain in 1950s
Dr, Hameeda Hossain talks about her days in Sindh at her Dhaka residence
After partition, she went to school and found herself among only 10-15 students. They were all Muslims, all Hindu, Sikh and Christians had migrated. At the same time, she saw trains full of passengers arriving from India. They were injured, helpless and alone. Her grandmother established a clinic and shelter for the refugees where she helped out.
I met Dina Hossain and Catherine Masud, two film makers at Dr. Hossain's house
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