Safwan Akhtar Shoddo

Safwan Akhtar Shoddo, a valiant warrior and one of the heroes of the August Revolution, was born on October 2, 2009, in Raghunathpur, a green and serene village in Sharifpur Union, Jamalpur District. His father, Md. Akhtaruzzaman (48), is a veterinary doctor, and his mother, Khadija bin Zubaid (44), is a social worker. Shoddo, a science student of the Shapla Section in the tenth grade at Savar Cantonment Public School and College, dreamed of becoming a software engineer. He was always actively involved in school science fairs. He had a passion for sports, painting, and animation. His table was filled with books on the Quran-Hadith and science. He wanted to learn about various national and international issues. Shoddo, a tenth-grade student, had been asking his father to join the anti-discrimination movement from the beginning.
On August 5th, the day the most heinous autocrat, killer Hasina, fled, i.e., in the newly independent Bangladesh, Martyr Shoddo went to the victory procession. However, he could not enjoy the joy of this victory for long. The fleeing Hasina's henchmen were still active. It was the bullets of those murderous forces that forever took away the talented son, Shaheed Safwan.
Context of Martyrdom
August 5, 2024, Monday. From the grave of the most heinous fascism, the beloved motherland of Bangladesh was reborn. A foreign vulture, disguised as a friend, had seized the red and green flag of independent and sovereign Bangladesh, dreaming of turning this country into a subservient state. In this critical moment of the country, the eternally youthful, spirited students and the public took on the role of saviors. Hundreds of people, young men, and women, shed their blood to quench killer Hasina's bloodlust. Finally, the country's liberation came through the blood-stained, slippery path. A truly independent and sovereign Bangladesh was born. On this day, around one o'clock in the afternoon, Martyr Shoddo went out with his father to participate in the victory procession.
Father and son walked to Pakija Stand in Savar. He was with his father until 4:15 PM. Then Shoddo went with his friends, trusting that the henchmen of Hasina would no longer shoot in independent Bangladesh. His father, Akhtaruzzaman, believes that Shoddo was shot by the murderous police between five and five-thirty. One bullet hit his hand, and the other hit his ribs. As Shoddo did not return until 9 PM, his father went to Enam Medical College Hospital around 9:30 PM in search of him. Shoddo's body was lying on a stretcher there. Safwan Akhtar Shoddo was martyred on the spot.
Reactions of the Martyr's Relatives
News of Shaheed Shoddo's martyrdom cast a shadow of grief over his school, the people around Savar, and his village home in Jamalpur. Shoddo's mother, Khadija, was repeatedly fainting at the news of her son's death. It seemed as if time had stopped.
Martyr Safwan Akhtar Shoddo's mother said, "Shoddo used to ask me, 'Mom, what do you want to make me?'" I used to say, "I don't want to make you anything; you have already become everything to me." Shoddo used to call me "Mom, Mom" all day long. He used to call me for reasons and without reasons. He used to hug me and say, "Sister can't speak; she can't call you Mom either. So, I call you Mom so many times. I call you for my share, and I call you for sister's share too." I could never stay angry or upset with Shoddo for long.
He would come and hug me and say, "Mom, why are you angry or upset? I don't find Dad at home all day. Now, if you are angry, what will I do? Where will I go? I don't like it when you are angry." Shoddo's mother further said, "I had so many dreams about my son. Everything is over." Sobbing, Martyr Safwan Akhtar Shoddo's biological mother, Khadija bin Zubaid, said, "If I asked my Shoddo, 'Shoddo, what do you want to eat for tiffin today, son? What should I make for you today?' Shoddo would reply, 'Mom, I won't take tiffin today. You don't have to make anything. You already work hard all day. You work at home, you cook. You don't have to wake up so early and make my tiffin. You take rest, Mom.'"
Martyr Shoddo's uncle, Md. Tamal Uddin, said, "Shoddo was a very talented and intelligent boy. Not only in studies, but Shoddo was also unique in appearance. Everyone liked him very much. We had many dreams that Shoddo would lead the country when he grew up. He would become a big army officer, but that didn't happen. Our entire area is saddened by Shoddo's death. We feel so much pain that if I remember his face, I can't eat rice that day. Shoddo never spoke without giving salam. He always greeted people with salam. Our only request to the current interim government is to bring those who killed Shoddo to justice. Only a fair trial for my nephew's murder will bring peace to our minds. Please pray for my nephew, so that Allah grants him a place in Paradise."
Special Information of the Martyr's Family
The martyr's proud father, Md. Akhtaruzzaman, is a veterinary doctor by profession. He is currently working at the renowned Milk Vita Company in Bangladesh. Due to his job, Mr. Akhtaruzzaman's financial condition is quite sound. He is currently a PhD fellow. The martyr's mother, Khadija bin Zubaid, is a social worker. Martyr Shoddo's elder sister, Atia Zaman Tishma (19), is a student.
 
Personal Information of the Shaheed at a Glance
Name: Safwan Akhtar Shoddo
Father: Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman (48)
Mother: Khadija bin Zubaid (44)
Date of Birth: October 2, 2009
Permanent Address: Village: Raghunathpur, Union: Sharifpur, Sreerampur, Jamalpur Sadar, District: Jamalpur
Present Address: 108/5 Mamoni Properties Two, CRP Road, Savar, Dhaka
Place and Time of Injury: In front of Pakija Stand, Savar
Time and Place of Martyrdom: August 5, 2024, 5:00 PM, Enam Medical College Hospital, Savar, Dhaka
Killed by: Murderous police
Martyr's Graveyard: His own village
Proposal
The martyr's family is financially sound. To preserve the martyr's memory, his father, Mr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, has taken the initiative to build a medical center, mosque, madrasa, ablution center, school, etc., in the name of Shaheed Shoddo. Financial assistance is needed to properly implement these initiatives.