Our Mahfuza Apa – In Memory and Remembrance

As I write this, the truth is that our respected Mahfuza Khanam Apa has set out on her eternal journey. If one is born, one must die – that is the truth; but some people do not just remain idle after being born. They leave their mark through their work. And because of those marks, we are bound to remember them.

Hearing of Mahfuza Apa’s passing, I feel saddened for one reason. Her house on Indira Road was a place of trust for countless people. Whoever went to her with a task, she would help as much as she could. For this, many people used to call her “Mother.” It’s not that no one ever felt hurt by her stubborn nature! But even so, she never stepped beyond what she understood to be right.

I remember once needing to go to former Law Minister Shafique Ahmed, Mahfuza Apa’s husband, for some work. But how would I reach Barrister Shafique? Mahfuza Apa came to mind. When I went to her, she said, “I’ll talk to him and get you a time.” That’s the kind of person she was.

In 2015, Mahfuza Apa wrote in her autobiographical book “Student Politics: The Liberation War Before and After” that, “I’ve been involved with the Student Union in one way or another for 55 years.” Who says things like that anymore? Until her last breath, she lived and upheld these ideals in her heart.

Most recently, she served as the president of a children and youth organisation. Her work with the Student Union, her role in the anti-Pakistan movement and the Liberation War all come through in her book “Student Politics: The Liberation War Before and After.” In it, she wrote:
“In 1959, I was a student of Class 9 at Banglabazar Girls’ High School.

Next to our school was a hostel for Christian missionary students. A few of the boys from that hostel handed out leaflets from the East Pakistan Student Union, marking 21 February. That was the first time I came across the name ‘Student Union.’ Since then, for the past 55 years, I’ve been more or less connected to the Student Union.”

Mahfuza Khanam was born on 14 April 1946 in Kolkata. She graduated from the Department of Physics at the University of Dhaka and completed her post-graduation in 1967. She worked to ensure access to education for underprivileged communities. Professionally, she taught at various government colleges. Mahfuza also served as General Secretary of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh and chaired the national children and youth organisation Khelaghar Ashar.

In recognition of her contributions to education, Professor Mahfuza received the Ekushey Padak in 2021. Long before Bangladesh’s Liberation War, she had been active in anti-Pakistan and anti-exploitation movements. Immersed in the spirit of patriotism, this fighter can never truly die. Red salute to Mahfuza Apa.

Dipankar Gautam: Writer and journalist.