Nobody knows about March 7 'Call Ready' microphone, outlet found closed

The 'Call Ready' microphone service operated under significant risk to ensure that Bangabandhu's historic speech reached the public. Even today, whenever Bangabandhu's speech is broadcast, the phrase 'Call Ready' inscribed on the microphone in front of Bangabandhu's illustrious visage instinctively comes to mind. Nevertheless, even after 55 years of independence, Call Ready has yet to receive any official recognition from the state.

Furthermore, the microphone that was positioned before Bangabandhu during his momentous address is not displayed in the National Museum, the Liberation War Museum, or the Bangabandhu Museum.

As of 2024, it was reported that this microphone would be auctioned internationally. However, following the political upheaval on August 5, 2024, there has been no information regarding its whereabouts. The Call Ready institution has also ceased operations.

Views Bangladesh undertook an investigation to ascertain the current location of the historic microphone slated for auction. Upon visiting Rishikesh Das Road in Laxmi Bazar, Old Dhaka, and inquiring with locals, Views Bangladesh encountered reluctance to discuss the matter.

Approached an individual standing outside the Call Ready outlet, he initially suggested, 'Search for it; it might be nearby.' However, upon further questioning, he became irritated and retorted, 'I won’t say anything. You people should leave.' Even when hewas requested to reveal his identity, he evaded the inquiry.

A young man agreed to guide the team to the outlet on the condition that his identity remain confidential. Upon arrival, it waz discovered that the outlet was locked and devoid of any signboard. Efforts were made to reach out to the shop owners directly, but it was revealed that they disappeared following the events of August 5, 2024. Their contact numbers were also unavailable. Consequently, despite waiting outside the shop for an extended period, no one was present to engage in conversation.

Nikhil De, an employee at Subarna Tailors located to the right of the Call Ready sound system outlet, informed Views Bangladesh, 'I have noticed it has been closed for quite some time. However, I cannot provide any information regarding the reason for its closure.'

Prakash Chandra Nandi of Swapnabarna Drug House, located to the left of the Call Ready shop, told Views Bangladesh, 'They have kept their shop closed since August 5, 2024.' He thinks this may be due to fear of a political change. He did not want to say more.

Ansar Ali, the owner of a tea stall located opposite the Call Ready outlet, told Views Bangladesh that Call Ready closed after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. It was never seen open again. They used to rent out sound systems with microphones at various major political events. They had a bustling business. Everyone knew them.

When asked whether Call Ready was closed due to pressure from any political group, he said, 'No, we have not seen anyone pressuring or attacking.' On the night of August 5, the authorities took down the shop's signboard and closed the shutters. They have not been operating since then. It is still closed.

Shankar Baral, the owner of Priyangon Digital Photography, told Views Bangladesh that this is the oldest and most well-known sound system here. It was closed on August 5, 2024 and no longer open.

Tushar Sarkar, a bike repairman and local resident, told Views Bangladesh that their employees also left after August 5.

After standing in front of the building for a while, Views Bangladesh spoke to a tenant of the building, but he could not find any way to contact the Call Ready authorities.

After searching, it was learned that the founders of the popular microphone service 'Call Ready' were two brothers--Haripada Ghosh and Dayal Ghosh. Haripada Ghosh's four sons were looking after the Call Ready company. Call Ready's sound system was rented for almost all events in Old Dhaka. They were doing good business by adding new sound systems and new equipment.

The company had been seeking recognition since independence for its special contribution to the Liberation War. They did not get that recognition. Rather, fearing that the historical microphones and equipment that were used on March 7 would fall into disrepair, those were stored abroad. In 2024, it was learned that the historical microphone would be put up for auction. After that, nothing more was known about this matter.

On March 7, Call Reddy sent microphones and other equipment to the Racecourse Maidan, ignoring the bloodthirsty eyes of the Pakistani ruling class. At that time, it was not easy to install microphones on the Racecourse Maidan as the authorities had a watchful eye on the Racecourse Maidan. There were obstacles to ensure that the public meeting was not successful. Many feared that sending microphones to the Racecourse Maidan could endanger the lives of those concerned. Therefore, many advised Haripada Ghosh and Dayal Ghosh not to get involved in this work. But, responding to Bangabandhu's call, they bravely took up the responsibility of supplying microphones through Call Ready.

Since the partition of the country in 1947, the movement in East Pakistan gradually started gaining strength. During this turbulent period, in 1948, two brothers Haripada Ghosh and Dayal Ghosh from Mathbaria village of Srinagar police station in Bikrampur (present-day Munshiganj) established a lighting shop called 'Arju Light House' in Laxmi Bazar of Old Dhaka. Initially, the shop offered lighting equipment as well as gramophones on rent. Within a short time, the shop became known throughout the area.

With time, as the need for microphones increased in various political movements and meetings, the leaders and activists of the movement started renting microphones from 'Arju Light House'. As the demand increased, Haripada Ghosh traveled to Taiwan, Japan and China. He continued to import the main parts of the microphone from abroad. Although the main unit was brought from outside, he used the shop's own craftsmen to make the other parts of the microphone.

Especially after the Language Movement of 1952, the number of meetings and gatherings increased in the then East Pakistan. Along with this, the use of microphones also increased rapidly in social and religious events. Keeping this growing demand in mind, a new name was decided for the microphone service. Since then, the name of the company has become 'Call Ready'. The meaning and significance of the name is - the microphone will be ready whenever someone calls. Ready whenever you call - 'Call Ready'.