Picking Up the Pieces

About the Book

Chowdhury describes the journeys to Canada of the first contingent of 15 “war babies” that were embraced by their adoptive parents when they reached their new homes in Canada in July 1972 breaking the racial boundaries and re-defining what a family could be. Products of one of the most outrageous crimes, these babies were conceived by Bangladeshi women victims of sexual crimes committed by the Pakistani military personnel in “Occupied Bangladesh.” Since it was a case of enforced pregnancy through penile penetration against the will of the victims, the “undesirable” newborns were seen as “disposable” or “throw-away” babies by both the birth mothers and the Bangladeshi society. Through sharp analysis, Chowdhury has illustrated with poignant vignettes an important fact of life – that human beings desire and need close relationships. Using archival records International Social Service, International Planned Parenthood Federation, Library and Archives Canada, Department of External Affairs and Manpower and Immigration in Canada and the Department of Labour and Welfare of the Government of Bangladesh, Missionaries of Charity and the Families For Children, Chowdhury examined the well-being of the war babies and their parents through the years with anecdotes of their rearing, nurturing, and becoming adults in Canada, the country they call “home.”

About the Author

A Canadian of Bangladeshi origin, Mustafa Chowdhury has graduate degrees in English Literature, Library & Information Science, and Canadian History. During his lengthy career of 34 years in Canada’s federal public service, he worked for a number of key federal departments. Chowdhury is the recipient of several awards for his contributions to the public service and to his profession. These include: The Vision Award in Recognition of Contributions to Employment Equity (Human Resources Development Canada); Outstanding Team Award (Treasury Board Secretariat); Certificate of Volunteer Appreciation (City of Ottawa); Volunteer Appreciation Certificate, Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign; Award of Merit for Volunteer Services, Cumberland Township Community Resource Centre; Award of Merit for Volunteer Services, Ottawa-Carleton Immigrant Services Organization. Chowdhury lives in Ottawa with his wife Afroza, a professional in the federal public service. He has a son and daughter who also live in Ottawa.