Time to take stock of what we have gained

Bangladesh has achieved a lot over the 50 years of its independence. Now is the time to calculate how much of the vision, with what Bangladesh achieved independence, has been achieved. We still have to go far to build a developed, prosperous and noncommunal Bangladesh. The new generation has to play the most important role. This were discussed in the state-sponsored event marking the golden jubilee of independence on Thursday.

Bangladesh completed 50 years of its victory in the Liberation War on Thursday. The even ‘Mahabijoyer Mahanayok’ (Great Hero of Great Victory) was organised at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament), since the spread of coronavirus has decreased. The birth centenary of Bangladesh’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is also being marked alongside the golden jubilee of independence. Different programmes were organised by the government and at a private level to mark the twin programmes across the year.

The National Committee to Celebrate the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman organised the two-day-long special event at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad marking the golden jubilee of independence. The first part of the programme included oath taking while second part included a discussion followed by a cultural programme on Thursday afternoon.

President M Abdul Hamid was the chief guest while Indian president Ram Nath Kovind was the guest of honour in the programme chaired by prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana, JS speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, liberation war affairs minister AKM Mozammel Haque, and the chief coordinator of the National Committee to Celebrate the Birth Centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Kamal Abdul Naser, was also present at the programme.

Speaking at the programme, president Hamid said 50 years is not a short time for a nation. Now is the time to take a stock of how much of the vision, with what Bangladesh achieved freedom under the leadership of Bangabandhu, has been achieved. It is not the sole responsibility of the political leadership to develop the country, rather a responsibility of everyone. Freedom is everyone’s right, but this freedom must not be limited to acquire only. Freedom becomes more meaningful if that is used properly. At the same time, misuse of freedom diminishes it. There is no scope to see freedom and whims as one and the same.

Describing independence as the country's greatest achievement, the president said, “But this independence did not come suddenly... There was a thousand-year-long history of overcoming exploitation, deprivation and torture behind it as there was no independent and sovereign nation-state for the Bangla-speaking areas earlier.”

He respectfully recalled the contribution of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bangali of all time, in leading the exploited people towards the right direction, resulting in the emergence of an independent state in the world map.

Referring to Bangabandhu’s charismatic and uncompromising leadership quality, the president said he (Bangabandhu) took lessons of politics from the masses and understood the people’s language, knew their demands as well as needs and always stood by them.

Following Bangabandhu’s foreign policy “Friendship to all and malice towards none” he said, Bangladesh is successfully advancing in the diplomatic arena by developing bilateral and multilateral ties.

Recalling with gratitude the role of India’s politicians and people in the independence of Bangladesh, president Hamid hoped this historic friendship will reach new heights in the future.

He also hoped India and the international community will play an effective role in resolving the Rohingya crisis.

Addressing the programme, guest of honour Indian president Ram Nath Kovind said India has always given utmost priority to friendship with Bangladesh. Recent extension of business between the countries, economic assistance, people to people relations, and a few other sectors have developed a lot.

Kovind also called for a continuance in working on development, deepening the friendship and jointly working to realise the people’s dreams.

Praising the economic development Bangladesh achieved in the last one decade, Ram Nath Kovind said joint initiatives of the businesspersons, educationists and specially youths in the sectors of creativity and technology of youths will encourage the deepening the friendship of Bangladesh and India.

Calling for taking inspiration from the moral courage of Bangabandhu, the Indian president said like the 70 million people of Bangladesh he was also encouraged by the speech of Bangabandhu during 1971.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina said the most important thing is how far Bangladesh could move ahead in the last 50 years. The poverty rate has come down to 20 per cent from 40 per cent, almost 100 per cent people are getting electricity and per capita income has increased to $2554.

She reiterated her government’s stance to pursue “zero tolerance” policy against militancy, terrorism and drugs, saying that she wants to build a developed and prosperous country envisioned by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by ensuring peace and security of the people.

“Our pledge was Bangladesh will be a middle income country by 2021. That has been achieved. Now our goal is to build a developed Bangladesh by 2041,” she added.

Mentioning that Bangabandhu wanted to build a Bangladesh free from oppression and inequality, JS speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said Bangabandhu was the voice of the oppressed people. In continuation to that Bangladesh is now a development-wonder in the world. Digital Bangladesh is now the reality. She hoped the youth will take this Bangladesh forward.

Liberation war affairs minister AKM Mozammel Haque said, “We will build a golden Bangladesh as was envisioned by Bangabandhu – let this be our pledge.”

Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana gave a special commemorative crest ‘Mujib Chironton’ with ‘Mahakaler Tarjani’ to Indian president Ram Nath Kovind at the programme. Nine flying pigeons on the crest signify the family members of Bangabandhu, and at the same time those are symbols of all the freedom-loving people of the world. Clay from Tungipara of Gopalganj has been used in the terracotta of the crest.

Covers of two books, edited by prime minister Sheikh Hasina, were also unveiled at the programme. A video was screened on the two books.

Before the discussion, prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana attended the programme at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad around 4:30pm.

Later, Sheikh Hasina administered oath to the nation to build the country as a developed, prosperous and non-communal ‘Sonar Bangla’ being imbued with the ideology of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

“On the occasion of the Golden Jubilee (of the Independence) and the Victory Day in the Mujib Year, I take oath in glowing voice that I will not let the blood of the martyrs go in vain, I will love the country, I will use all my strength for the overall welfare of the people of the country,” she said in the oath words, urging the people of the country to join her vow afresh.

The prime minister conducted the nationwide oath at 4:30pm from the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, which was broadcast live through Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and other private TV channels.

People from the country’s eight divisional cities and different grassroots places took the oath together with the prime minister. Bangabandhu’s younger daughter, Sheikh Rehana, was present.

Before administering the oath, the prime minister in a short speech, recounted the long history of Bangali’s liberation. She remembered with respect Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bangali of all time, and four national leaders, killed in the central jail, and paid her respect to 3 million people who sacrificed their lives and 200,000 women who were raped during the war. She paid her respect to the freedom fighters and recalled the sacrifices of people who lost their lives while demonstrating to establish democracy, voting rights and right to food.