History of OsmaniGeneral Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani: (M.A.G Osmani-Freedom Fighter)
Osmani was born on 1 September 1918 in an affluent and aristocratic family in Dayamir, a village in Sylhet Bangladesh. He passed the Matriculation examination from Sylhet Government Pilot School in 1934 obtaining 1st division mark and was awarded the Pretoria Award for securing the highest marks in English. He attended the prestigious Aligarh Muslim University of India and graduated in 1938. After that he passed the Indian Civil Service examination. However, as the 2nd World War began, he gave up his civilian career plan and joined the army. He participated in the Second World War at the Burma sector as a commander of the British Army.
He had a glorious career at the Pakistan Army until he retired on 16 February 1967.
After retirement he entered East Pakistani politics and was elected Member of National Assembly (MNA) of Pakistan. During the war of independence of Bangladesh he was appointed as the supreme commander of Bangladesh Force the ‘Mukhti Bahini’ (Freedom Fighters) and led them to victory. His name accompanies the title 'Bangabir' (Brave Bengali). The Bangladeshi government promoted him to four star general (the first in Bangladeshi history) on 7 April 1972. He was appointed as the Minister for Air and Inland Water Transport in independent Bangladesh and served successfully until 1975.
Osmani died on 16 February 1984 in London but was buried in Sylhet, Bangladesh.
Osmani had a major role in organising the Bangladesh armed forces and his contribution to the war of independence of Bangladesh. The international airport in his hometown, Sylhet, has been named Osmani Antorjatik Biman Bondor (Osmani International Airport) for him. MAG Osmani Medical College and the city's state-run hospital also commemorate him. Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka and the Osmani Museum is in Sylhet. Our school was opened in May 1986 on the site of the former Lord Montefiore Secondary School and M.A.G Osmani’s name was given to the school to commemorate his contribution to the independence of Bangladesh.
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