Ajoy Roy

Ila Mitra was the legendary peasant leader of undivided Bengal, a veteran front runner of the communist movement in the sub-continent and a dedicated friend to the cause of our Liberation War in 1971. Nachol, a police station at that time of greater Rajshahi, became the centre of the peasant movement, known as Tebhaga Andolan in the district. Ila Mitra, an athlete of no mean calibre, became deeply involved in the movement encouraged by her husband, ultimately becoming 'Rani Ma' (queen-mother) of the peasants of the locality. But who is Ila Mitra to the present generation, particularly of Bangladesh?