[Sohel]

There's only one way to describe, though inadequately, the political Sheikh Shaheb before 1973 ... leading the typically back-biting Bengali petit-bourgeoisie through the events of 1969 is nothing short of miraculous. Even my late father, never a PAL or BAL, got himself demoted from Major to Captain for decking a Punjabi Brigadier mistaking him for a Pathan and talking crap about the man who emerged as Baungobondhu that year. The decorations due to notable exploits in the Kashmir War saved my father from a dishonorable discharge. Abba was reinstated immediately upon the fall of Ayub Khan.