Noakhali: Today is the 52nd martyrdom anniversary of the valiant martyr Ruhul Amin. He sacrificed his life in the face of the enemy in the 1971 Liberation War, just six days before the final victory on December 10, 1971, in Rupsa, Khulna. On the occasion of the martyrdom anniversary, various programs have been organized, including the Martyr Ruhul Amin Memorial Museum in his village and initiatives by the district and sub-district administration.
Among the seven brave individuals honored with the title of Bir Shreshtho for their heroic contributions to the great Liberation War, one was Ruhul Amin from Baghapanchra (currently Shahid Ruhul Amin Nagar) in the Sonaimuri Upazila of what was then Begumganj Upazila. Born in 1934 in Baghapanchra, Ruhul Amin was the son of his mother Julekha Khatun, and father Muhammad Azzahar Patwari. He had three brothers and four sisters in the family.
Ruhul Amin started his education at Baghapanchra Government Primary School and later enrolled at Amishapara Krishi High School. In 1951, he began his career as a sailor in the Navy. In 1971, during the Liberation War, Ruhul Amin participated in the war as the Chief Engineer in the engine room of the naval vessel “Palash” of the Navy in Sector 2.
Just six days before the historic victory of the Bengalis, on December 10 of December, he sacrificed himself to save the Bangladesh naval ship “Palash” from the attacks of the Pakistani Air Force in the Rupsa River near Khulna, disobeying the directive to abandon the ship near the Khulna Shipyard. He was posthumously awarded the highest national honor, Bir Shreshtho, for his heroic role in the War of Liberation and his supreme sacrifice.
Regarding his family, Ruhul Amin left behind two sons and three daughters. The elder son, Bahar, passed away 25 years ago. The family members, including the younger son Shawkat Ali, and three daughters—Noorjahan Begum, Roziya Begum, and Fatema Begum, are residing in Sylhet. Among them, the three daughters are all settled with their spouses and children, leading educated and economically stable lives. The only son, Shawkat Ali, along with his wife and daughter, resides in the family home in Noakhali’s village.
