Dhaka, Dec. 13 -- Coming as I do from an extended family with over a dozen FFs of various, shapes, sizes and ranks no to mention gender, it's not a great big deal to be one. Everyone did something during the war and having done something, it's not discussed in family gatherings ever.

Except for the two regular army officers who are also gallantry award winners and two from India who have also been formally recognized by the Government of Bangladesh, none took certificates. Nobody considered it necessary to prove anything or gain something. It was thought that whatever was needed to be done was done and that's it.

The certificate culture

Soon after the Victory, the certificate culture exploded and real and fake ones flooded the market. ...