An Aviator’s Life and Legacy Preserved in Bir Sreshtha Matiur Rahman Museum

Bir Sreshtha Matiur Rahman hails from Narsingdi. The ‘Bir Sreshtha’, or Greatest of the Heroes of Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, is remembered in a memorial. Named after the aviator, the Bir Sreshtha Matiur Rahman Memorial Museum stores his everyday use belongings with odds and ends.

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Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman, as told and known, could not sit back and watch his motherland in flames. On leave, the duty-bound officer played an instrumental role to mobilize his home town’s glorious heroes to fight against the occupying junta in Bhairab. But fate’s whim and dearest ones’ wails made him to plan otherwise and return to airbase in May.   Bluebird, a T-33 aircraft, would take off to fly the skies of Karachi. Matiur was the instructor to Minhaz Rashid, a Pakistani pilot officer. They were airborne within minutes on that morning of August 20 in 1971. The patriot at heart was not to miss the opportunity. But Matiur’s maneuver to sneak into the Indian sky with the aircraft went haywire.   After much troubled strife to take control of Bluebird, the plane hit the grounds of Thatta.

Bir Sreshtha Matiur Rahman’s remains were found and buried in Masrur Airbase of Pakistan. Minhaz’s could not be tracked or traced. The Bir Sreshtha’s bodily remains were returned to Bangladesh and buried in 2006.   For all its worth, the aviator’s valor have not been futile. Others have followed suit to realize the dream of an independent Bangladesh. To honor the timed effort and untimely sacrifice of Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh has built and opened the museum together with a library in Raipura on 31 March of 2008.   Photographs of the martyr can be viewed inside the museum premises. Though very few in number, the gesture carries tremendous significance. Worthy to note as well is that, memorial museums and libraries are also to be built to cherish and conserve the memories and sacrifices of Seven Bir Sreshthas across birthplaces of the martyred heroes in Bangladesh.  

Thousands of books grace the Bir Sreshtha Matiur Rahman Memorial Museum. The road that takes to the place is a bit bumpy. Even so,Ramnagar village is very much alive with tales of its loved hero and martyr which would need libraries to shelve stories of Matiur. The village has been renamed to Matiur Nagar that fills its locals with immense pride.   It is strongly advisable to be very respectful to the memories of the brave airman and to the people of his native village who love him to this day. Also wear a face-mask and carry a hand-sanitizer for personal safety and hygiene.  

Moments of Remembrance at the Memorial

A recollection of memories has had a berth at the Bir Sreshtha Matiur Rahman Memorial Museum. Visitors there can relieve the moments looking at photographs of the martyr. They can cherish his heroism by learning more from locals.   Since Matiur Nagar is the birthplace of the ‘Bir Sreshtha’, anyone can find out where Matiur Rahman spent his childhood and how his ironclad character and personality were steamed to perfection. It is worth a wondrous journey to know and learn deep about a man as great as a mountain.    

Opening Hours for Visitors

The Bir Sreshtha Matiur Rahman Memorial Museum is open seven days a week. It is open from 9 in the morning till 5 in the evening.  

Ways to Travel to Matiur Nagar

First up, travel to Narsingdi from Dhaka. Meghaloy or Bhairab bus services can be availed from Dhaka’s Gulistan. Also, hop on to any Narsingdi bound bus if found in time.   Raipura upazila is 28 km from Narsingdi. Take a CNG or an auto-rickshaw through to Ramnagar Uttar Para Road. The scenic view of Ramnagar river will be refreshing on the way before finally reaching the Bir Srestha Matiur Rahman Memorial Museum.  

Accommodation and Boarding Facilities

Hotel Tanim, Hotel Reaz, Hotel Aziz are some of the residential hotels in Narsingdi. Besides, Circuit House, LGRD Rest House and District Council Bungalow are also fine for a night-stay available upon request to the concerned authority.  

Restaurants and Eating Places

On the way to Narsindi’s Raipura, travelers will find Anondo Park Restaurant, Panthoshala, Saudagar Hotel & Restaurant, Munna Restaurant, Kala Miah Tea Stall and many more eateries. Try out local food varieties and other sumptuous delicacies.   The Narsingdi specialties are, however, rasgolla, lalmohan, khir-mohan and shahi jilapi. These are very popular in the area and to the tourists alike.  

More Places in Narsingdi Worth a Visit

Monu Mia Zamindar Bari, Wari-Bateshwar, Bhai Girish Chandra Sen’s Old House, Ashrafpur Mosque, Parulia Mosque, Arshinagar Park-and-Mini Zoo, Belabo Central Jame Mosque, Single Domed Mosque-and-Tomb of Shah Mansur are some of the finest places to visit in Narsingdi. So, don’t miss out any after a tour of the Bir Sreshtha Matiur Rahman Memorial Museum.

  A Cautionary Note

Accommodation expenses, ride fare, cost of boarding facilities etc change over time. For this, the information published on the web might only reflect the going rate. It is requested that, whenever and wherever a traveler starts for a destination, it is compulsory to know the current fare and expenses for inclusion in itinerary and a safe travel.   Besides, another important issue is to have a prior knowledge about relevant amenities before booking at a hotel or ordering at a restaurant in the touring destination. The website or the author will not be liable for any misdeed or comeuppance followed by an unwanted or undesirable transaction.  

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Written by,  Md. Piare Ashek-E-Rasul

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