http://www.nation-online.com/200105/23/n1052301.htm#BODY11
Liberation War veteran Ouderland dead
A man fighting for his
own country, no doubt, is an act of rare bravery, but it becomes little newsy
compared to the ballad of an alien fighting side by side with the sons of the
soil, reports BSS.
Dutchman W A S.
Ouderland was the man who fought in our great Liberation War in 1971. Ouderland
remained in Bangladesh till 1978 and was transferred to Australia thereafter.
He later settled in
Australia and died after prolonged ailment at the age of 84 in a hospital at
the Western Australian city of Perth on May 18 (Friday).
Hundreds of people
across the country on Tuesday paid glowing tributes to the valiant freedom
fighter who received the gallantry award 'Bir Protik' from the Bangladesh
government immediately after independence.
The great man, the World
Wwar I (one) veteran who was working s the Manager of Bata Shoe Company in
Tongi from mid 1970 took part in the Liberation War in the sectors I and II.
As a foreigner he used
the privilege of free movement during the turbulent time taking photographs of
the atrocities committed by Pakistani army against innocent Bengali people
including young women and children.
He passed those
photographs to the international press that created sympathies for the cause of
the Bangladesh people in different parts of the world.
He also took the risk of
providing shelter to freedom fighters and innocent Bengalis inside his factory
compound. Mr. Ouderland, himself a brave soldier provided logistic support
including military training to groups of young people. Mr. W A S. Ouderland was
born in December, 1917 in Amsterdam of the Netherlands.
He was conscripted for
national service in 1936 after he had taken a job with Bata Shoe Germany. He
joined as a sergeant in the Dutch Royal Signals Corps shortly before Ceremony
invaded his motherland.
He joined Dutch
underground movement after escaping from a German POW camp. He was able to help
the Dutch underground movements as well as the allied forces with vital
information as he spoke fluent German and several Dutch dialects.
In 1971, Ouderland used
his prior war experience and helped unequipped Bengali youths in building
resistance against Pakistani occupation forces.
A number of
socio-cultural organisations including 'Sharabanjan' and 'Megnum Opas' has
already demanded of the government to accord him Bangladesh citizenship
posthumously for his outstanding contribution to the country's Great War of
Liberation.
PM shocked
Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina on Tuesday condoled the death of valiant freedom fighter W.A.S.
Ouderland, Bir Pratik.
In a message to Mrs.
Ouderland, Sheikh Hasina said Ouderland has been a legend in Bangladesh by
having the rare distinction of valiantly fighting shoulder to shoulder with the
freedom fighters during liberation war in 1971.
The Prime Minister
recalled that Mr. Ouderland was the only foreign national to have been honoured
with gallanty award Bir Pratik for his outstanding contribution to the war of
liberation. Mr. Ouderland had created for himself a niche in the hearts of the
Bengali nation, Sheikh Hasina said.
"May God give you
and the rest of your family members the strength and the courage to bear this
irreparable loss", Hasina wished Mrs. Ouderland and prayed for the
salvation of the departed soul.
In a separate message,
Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad also condoled the death of Ouderland.
"Ouderland has been a man of valour who actively participated in our war
of liberation in 1971", Azad said. He has indeed touched the hearts of the
entire nation and would no doubt be remembered for all times to come, he added.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh
High Commission in Australia has been instructed to attend the funeral ceremony
of Mr. Ouderland at Perth, Australia.
In line with Bangladesh
government's policy to accord full honours to all freedom fighters, it has been
decided that subject to the agreement of Mr. Ouderland's family members, the
coffin of the deceased shall be wrapped in the national flag of Bangladesh.
http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/may/23/23052001mt.htm#A12
Hasina,
Azad shocked at death of Ouderland
Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina and Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad shocked at the death of WAS
Ouderland, Bir Pratik, the only foreigner decorated with the gallantry award
for his valiant role in the Bangladesh Liberation War, reports UNB.
Bangladesh High
Commissioner in Australia has been instructed to attend the funeral of the
freedom fighter in Perth, where he died last Friday.
In line with the
Bangladesh government's policy to accord full honour to all freedom fighters, it
has been decided that subject to the agreement of Ouderland's family
members, the coffin of the deceased shall be wrapped in the national
flag of Bangladesh.
In separate messages to
Mrs Ouderland sent through the Bangladesh High Commissioner in Australia, the
Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister recalled his valiant role in the
struggle for independence and conveyed to his family members the deepest
condolences on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister in
her message said, "I was deeply grieved to learn of the demise of your
illustrious husband WAS Ouderland, Bir Pratik. Please accept, on my own behalf
and on behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh, our deepest
condolences."
"Your late husband
has been a legend in our country by having the rare distinction of valiantly
fighting shoulder to shoulder with our freedom fighters during Bangladesh's War
of Liberation in 1971 and being the only foreign national to have been
honoured with the gallantry award 'Bir Pratik'. By this he has created for
himself a niche in the hearts of the Bengali nation."
She prayed that the
bereaved family members would have the strength and courage to bear with this
irreparable loss and for salvation of the departed soul.
The Foreign Minister in
his message conveyed heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the
bereaved family.
"Ouderland has been
a man of valour who actively participated in our War of Liberation in 1971. He
has indeed touched the hearts of the entire nation and would no doubt be
remembered for all times to come," he said.