Meghna Alam: The daughter of courage in Bangladesh

 

Meghna Alam embodies the unwavering spirit of young women in Bangladesh. Her resilience in the face of a government intent on her destruction is not just surprising but truly inspiring. She stands alone, fighting the oppressive regime of Bangladesh, determined to prove her innocence and clear her name of the false allegations against her.

The government, led by Mohammad Yunus, who seized power in an illegal coup in August 2024, has proven to be the most vicious and vengeful in the country's history. At the behest of a corrupt Saudi Ambassador, Yunus's henchmen are persecuting a young, defenseless woman who brought honor to the country and became a role model to a generation of women. This is a gross injustice that cannot be ignored.

I first came to know of Meghna while watching a podcast in which she was dressing up and speaking frantically in the backdrop of police thumping on the entrance door of her apartment and threatening to break it open. The tone in her voice indicated she was terrified, and I thought of my daughter and felt the agony of her parents immediately.

Meghna was arrested at the behest of the former Ambassador, who was recalled by his own country. Her personal belongings, such as her cell phone, laptop, and even her passport, were seized, and she was terrorized. This blatant injustice is a stark reminder of the oppressive regime she is up against. She is still being persecuted relentlessly.

Meghna Alam, a beauty queen, is more than a pretty face; she is the National Director of Miss Earth, Chairperson of Miss Bangladesh, and a Political Educator. Her journey is a testament to the fact that true beauty is not merely skin deep; it is the fire in one's belly that shines light in the darkness, for the betterment of humanity. She now stands as a voice against the oppression of a regime that is the most corrupt and heinous. Her fight is a call for support, a testament to her courage and the belief that no one can deprive her of freedom, not for long.

Joy Bangla.

Author Interview

 

I Shared A True Story

Oct 3

Posted by Literary Titan

A Mohit Author Interview

A Line in the Sand is the intimate yet unflinching story of a young woman in rural Bangladesh whose resourcefulness and hope are tested against poverty, political unrest, and the crushing weight of microfinance debt. What drew you to focus on the intersection of microfinance, poverty, and women’s resilience?

I shared a true story in the book. Nilima Rani Das (real name), a housewife from a poor-class family, had taken a loan of about $150 from Grameen Bank. She had paid back forty installments; only six were left when she fell into financial hardship and was unable to pay her 41st installment. The bank officials relentlessly harassed Nilima, and out of desperation, she committed suicide. The Grameen Bank and its founder, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, claim that he changed the fate of people with low incomes worldwide through the Grameen Bank, a narrative that was sold to the West as a false representation. Nilima’s story is not unique; there are many documented cases where women such as Nilima have taken loans from Grameen Bank and have lost everything, and have committed suicide, literally for a few dollars. I thought it was high time someone told their story.

The book’s raw language gives it a lived-in authenticity. Was this a deliberate stylistic choice or something that emerged naturally in the writing?

Yes, part one of the book, which tells Nilima’s story, has a raw, heart-wrenching emotion that is quite different from part two, which is her daughter’s story. Yes, the choice of language was deliberate to convey the depth of agony that the victims of Grameen Bank loans continue to endure.

What do you hope readers will carry with them after reading your book, especially those far removed from Nilima’s world?

My sincere hope is that readers will see the real picture that this so-called ‘poor people’s bank’ hides. That readers stop putting the proponent of this business model on a pedestal and see the real Man who chose to make himself super-rich at the cost of the super-poor. He destroyed so many people’s lives, the very people whom he promised to help. The Bangladesh government had prosecuted Mohammad Yunus, fined him for tax evasion, and sentenced him to jail. He orchestrated a coup, seized political power, and liaised with the corrupt Bangladesh Army. Upon seizing power, his first action was to reverse the court decision by removing the Supreme Court judges and replacing them with his handpicked appointees.

The scenes of village life are rendered with such sensory detail. Were these drawn from personal observation, research, or lived experience?

Actually, all three. I grew up in the Indian subcontinent, so I drew heavily on my childhood experiences. I researched the topography of the geographical area surrounding Nilima’s village to provide an accurate description of her surroundings.

Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website

On the day of her graduation ceremony, Irene’s life takes a dramatic turn when she learns that her American parents adopted her when she was just a few months old. As a successful corporate officer, she seizes the opportunity to inquire about her past when she leads a Starlink team to her country of origin. But before she can pursue the clues, she is forced to return home. Months later, she learns about a man who can unwind the secret of her past, but she must meet him in person. As her country of origin falls into chaos and lawlessness, a friend warns her of the dangers of returning. Irene faces a decision that could change her life forever. What will she choose?

মুক্তিযোদ্ধা নুরুল মজিদ হুমায়ুনের মৃত্যুতে

 

আর কবে ভোর হবে?

এ কেমন অনন্ত অমানিশা?

শুনেছি অন্ধকার গভীর হলে তখনই সূর্য ওঠে

আর কত গভীর হবে অন্ধকার?

অশ্রুর সাগরে ভেসে যাক এ অসভ্য দেশ

আর তাদের তাবেদার চাটুকার।

উচ্ছন্নে যাক সুশীল সমাজ

লোভি অমানুষ স্বার্থান্বেষী মহল।

আবার গড়বে নতুন দেশ এক

বাংলার কৃষক শ্রমিক মজুর

আমি মেলে আছি অনিদ্র দুটি চোখ

হবে ভোর, নিশ্চই হবে ভোর।