August 29, 2002, just 4 years ago, after 10 months of court trouble, Ekushey Television was shut down. I remember exactly who I was with when I heard the court verdict. I was standing in the network control panel when Dalim bhai read the final announcement. I remember reaching out to Nasim, the broadcast operations guy right after he hit the switch to turn off the center of our dreams, and started crying. Some part of me died with the hopes and dreams of 300 odd employees of Ekushey TV.ETV gave me my first job. It taught me everything that I know now. It gave me a chance to rebuild myself when I thought I was washed up after my grad school fiasco. And four years later, it still occupies a special place in my heart.
On rainy nights, when I pass by Karwan Bazar, and look up in the sky, and see the bright logo on the building being washed off by nature, I feel a special courage. They might have taken away my ETV, but no one can ever touch my fond memories.
Thank almighty there's so many of them.
