It was 1964. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman revived the Awami League after the demise of Husyen Shaheed Suhrwardy. He was then busy with drumming up support for public support across the country to create the ultimate context for the anti-Ayub movement and the independence of Bangladesh. On the other hand, Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib was supervising the construction work of their residence at Dhanmondi Road 32 for a shelter for the family. At such a busy time, a newborn became the focus of everyone's attention. Spreading the autumn vibe all around, Sheikh Russell came of Bangabandhu family on October 18, 1964, the first day of Kartik according to Bangla calendar. He is the youngest child of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Begum.
When Sheikh Russell was growing up in the womb of Bangamata, Bangabandhu was reorganizing the Awami League all over the country. What a coincidence it was – both were growing up simultaneously with a unique journey. After independence, little Russell used to exchange greetings with world leaders during his travels abroad with Bangabandhu; The talent, confidence and personality that was radiated in his eyes, in his dress and manners, was very exceptional.
The youngest member of the Bangabandhu family, Sheikh Russell was named after Bertrand William Russell, a world-renowned philosopher for anti-socialism and non-violence. Father Sheikh Mujib and mother Fazilatunnesa perhaps wanted their son to a symbol of human ideals in his life. Russell's life began with the care of his two elder sisters, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, and his two brothers, Sheikh Kamal and Sheikh Jamal.
Little Russell was growing slowly. But a turmoil started blowing before the swarm of pigeons began to flutter in his tender heart. Bangabandhu declared the Bengali’s charter of existence, Six Point programme. The agitation started in every corner of the country leaving the Pakistani military junta scared. They arrested Bangabandhu and kept him in jail.
Russell, by then, learned to walk little by little and mumble few words too. He searched for his father from this room to that room. Sometimes he even can't find his mother. Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib was busy handling Bangabandhu's case and keeping in touch with the Awami League and Chhatra League leaders and activists. Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina was also active in college politics at that time.
Little Russell had to go to the prison gate with the others to hug his father for a while. And he did not want to go back, he did not want to get off Banabandhu’s lap. But after the Agartala conspiracy case in 1968, the scope to meet was also closed. Eventually, Russell tried to heal his heart by calling his mother 'Father'.
When Bangabandhu and his family members were going through turbulent times for the sake of the liberation of Bengali nation, Russell became obsessed with a group of pet pigeons at home. That is why he never wanted to eat pigeon meat. What a great love! Endless generosity began to blossom in the mind of a child!
But Russell, this peace-loving human flower, was not allowed to bloom anymore. On the fateful night of August 15, 1975, a group of barbaric assassins brutally killed Bangabandhu's family. Confused, little Russell wanted to go to his mother. The brutal assassins shot him in the head and killed him, saying to take him to his mother. There is no other example of such cruelty in the history of the world. Dhanmondi Road No 32 residence and the classroom of the fourth grader at the University Laboratory School – are still crying silently. The pain became more and more suffocating in the chest in that melancholic tune.
Across the daily sky of the six seasons, in the direction of our hearts fly flocks of pigeons fly; Looking at every dawn or dusk, the little Russell comes back to the heart and mind like a bird returns to the nest.
