52nd Anniversary of Independence and National Day of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Today 26th March. The great Independence and National Day. On this occasion, I extend my heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to my fellow countrymen living at home and abroad.
On this day, I remember with profound respect the architect of our independent Bangladesh, the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On the fateful night of March 25, 1971, the invading forces of Pakistan suddenly attacked the unarmed Bangalees. In the early hours of March 26, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman officially declared the Independence of Bangladesh. We achieved an independent and sovereign Bangladesh through a nine-month long Liberation War under the able leadership of Bangabandhu. I recall with deep respect the millions of martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the War of Liberation and thus we achieved our Independence through their supreme sacrifice. I recall with deep reverence our Four National Leaders, heroic freedom-fighters, organizers, supporters, foreign friends and people from all walks of life who made contributions to attain our right to self-determination and freedom movement. Bangabandhu always cherished a dream of building a happy and prosperous country along with attaining political emancipation. The present government has been rendering untiring efforts in materializing the dream of Bangabandhu. Today, Bangladesh is moving towards the highway of development at an inexorable pace. We have achieved enormous success in various areas of socio-economic development including poverty alleviation, education, health, human resource development, women empowerment, reduction of child and maternal mortality rates, elimination of gender discriminant and increase in average life expectancy. Rate of poverty has been dropped whereas per capita income has increased. A huge number of landless and homeless people are being rehabilitated. The Padma Bridge, constructed by our own resources and the Metrorail has already been opened for traffic. Works of Payra Deep Sea Port, Karnafuli Tunnel, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s Third Terminal and Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant are also progressing uninterruptedly. Bangladesh has already elevated from a least developed country to a developing country. With the continuation of development process, Bangladesh will turn into a developed, smart and prosperous country in the world by 2041, InshaAllah.
Government has been able to maintain the economic growth for timely and courageous steps taken by Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina despite the world economy is facing negative impact due to COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war. The economy has turned around as a result of various socio-economic and investment projects, programs and initiatives taken by the government to ensure sustainable and inclusive development. Huge amount of remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis has made an important contribution to keep the wheel of the economy rolling during this time. To deal with this crisis, we also have to be frugal in the use of resources and follow austerity in luxury. I hope, based on the unprecedented achievements of the government in the country’s overall development activities and socio-economic indicators in the past years, we will be able to face these challenges in the days to come, InshaAllah.
The government has been consistent in upholding our foreign policy “Friendship to all, malice towards none” as enunciated by the Father of the Nation. Our achievement in the international arena, including the establishment of world peace, is also commendable. Despite being a densely populated country, Bangladesh has set a unique example of humanity in the world by sheltering millions of Rohingyas who have been tortured and forcibly deported from Myanmar. In Bhasanchar, accommodation has been provided with all kinds of facilities for the Rohingyas. Bangladesh believes in a peaceful solution to this problem. I call upon the United Nations and the international community, including Myanmar, to take early and effective measures for permanent solution to this problem.
In order to achieve the desired goal of Independence, we must ensure people-oriented and sustainable development, good governance, social justice, transparency and accountability. Forbearance, human rights and rule of law have to be consolidated for institutionalizing democracy. It is our sacred duty to ensure a safe, happy, beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh for the new generation. By assassinating Bangabandhu on 15 August 1975, anti-liberation forces tried to erase his policy, ideology as well as to stop the trend of development and progress of the country forever. but the Bengali is a nation of heroes. Nothing could suppress the Bangaless. Bangabandhu has become the conqueror of death. Death has not dissipated him but has made him brighter and more glorious in the minds of Bangalees. It is our obligation to make the new and future generation understand that the way they are treading forward today is paved by our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The path shown by him will be the step of development and progress in the future as well.
To speed up the progress of the country, let the nation embrace the spirit of the liberation war and the ideals of the Father of the Nation and move forward on the path of building ‘Golden Bangla’ dreamt by Bangabandhu – this is my expectation on the great Independence Day.
Joi Bangla.
Khoda hafez, May Bangladesh Live Forever.
Today is 26th March, the Great Independence and National Day. On this auspicious occasion, I extend my sincere greetings and congratulations to all Bangladeshis living in the country and abroad. On this historic day, I remember with deep respect the greatest Bengali of all time, the great architect of our independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Under whose visionary leadership the Bengali nation broke the shackles of subjugation and achieved independent sovereign Bangladesh. I respectfully remember the three million martyrs, two hundred thousand mothers and sisters and all the freedom fighters of our liberation war- who made supreme sacrifice for the motherland. I also pay tribute to the members of the diplomatic corps who played and active role in gaining support and assistance of the international community for Bangladesh during and after the liberation war.
Bangabandhu was the undisputed great leader of the Bengali nation. He led us to achieve freedom through a long struggle. The seeds of development were planted in this country by the hands of Bangabandhu. He took the leadership of war-torn Bangladesh and completed the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the country in just three and a half years. But the enemies of the country killed him and thwarted the progress of the country was temporarily disrupted due to the plot of the conspirators, the country is now moving forward at an unstoppable speed under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s able daughter, Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Today, Bangladesh is recognized as a ‘Role Model for Development” in the world. I wish active participation and all-out cooperation of expatriate Bangladeshis in the ongoing progress of building a developed, prosperous Bangladesh in light of the ‘Vision 2041’ given by Deshratna Sheikh Hasina.
I extend my greetings to the officials and employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Bangladesh Missions abroad who are working for the country’s interest and shining the image of Bangladesh in the international arena. Being imbued with the spirit of the liberation war, we all will work together from our respective positions to realize Bangabandhu’s dream of ‘Sonar Bangla’ – Let’s make this pledge today. Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu,
May Bangladesh live forever. (DR. A K ABDUL MOMEN, MP) Foreign Minister Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Today is March 26, our great Independence and National Day. On the occasion of the great Independence Day, I extend my best wishes and congratulations to all the Bangladeshi people staying in both home and abroad.
On this historic day, I remember with deep respect the greatest Bengali of all time, the great architect of our independence, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman – who declared our independence in the early hours of March 26, 1971. On his direction, the Bengali nations started the great liberation war against the misrule, exploitation and torture of the Pakistani rulers. We achieved our long-cherished victory under the leadership of Bangabandhu through a long nine-month armed liberation war. I respectfully remember all the freedom fighters including three million martyrs and two hundred thousand mothers and sisters who made supreme sacrifice to achieve our great independence.
Bangabandhu is the name of a legend – under whose undisputed leadership we achieved independent, sovereign Bangladesh through a long struggle. Bangabandhu dreamt of a hunger and poverty free, secular and prosperous ‘Golden Bengal’. Under the leadership of his able daughter Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is advancing towards development at a fast pace. The government led by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working tirelessly to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country by 2041. Along with economic growth, Bangladesh has become a ‘Role Model’ for the world in various fields including poverty alleviation, women’s empowerment, combating climate change and reducing child mortality. All these have been possible under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina guided by the various laws, policies and guidelines given by Bangabandhu.
I congratulate the expatriate Bangladeshis living in all corners of the world for their active participation in the ongoing development and progress of Bangladesh and seek their continued cooperation. I convey my heartfelt greets to all the officers and employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Missions abroad.
Inspired by the spirit of the Liberation War, we all will work from our respective positions to build Bangabandhu’s ‘Golden Bangla’ and leave a safe, developed and prosperous homeland for future generations – This is our pledge on Independence Day.
Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu May Bangladesh live forever.
I am happy to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh and the concluding ceremony of the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the Diplomatic Relations between Bangladesh and the Philippines.
On these auspicious occasions, I pay deep tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Architect of our nation. I also pay tribute to the 3 million martyrs of the Liberation War, to the self-sacrifice of 2 hundred thousand mothers and sisters as well as to the valiant freedom fighters, whose supreme sacrifices made us free. On these wonderful occasions, I extend my sincere felicitations to the brotherly people and the government of the Republic of the Philippines, to our friends, well-wishers and Bangladeshi expatriates living in the Philippines.
I take this opportunity to mention that the Government of Bangladesh, under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has made tremendous development in all sectors. Bangladesh achieved the status of a lower-middle income country in 2015 and the country is set to graduate officially from LDC status to a developing country in 2026. Bangladesh is set to turn into an upper-middle income country by 2031 and a developed country by 2041. Bangladesh has now become the 35th largest economy in the world with a per capita income of $ 2824.00.
Bangladesh and The Philippines have been enjoying excellent bilateral relations based on mutual respect and shared values. I recall with gratitude Philippines’ prompt recognition of Bangladesh as an independent country on 24 February 1972. The next year, our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman stopped over in Manila on his way back from Japan to express gratitude for the brotherly gesture of the Philippines. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, we have developed cooperation in a number of areas of mutual interests. Similarities in priorities and policies, convergence of views and interests on many issues have also led to cooperation in the regional and global platforms.
I am very happy to keep on record that the Embassy of Bangladesh in Manila undertook series of programs, in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the business organizations of the Philippines, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of diplomatic relations between the two countries. I have full conviction that the concerted celebrations have brought us on a solid platform to move forward on the basis of our experiences of past 50 years. While reviewing our bilateral cooperation, I should say that there are passages for further expansion of our joint efforts including diversification of the volume of bilateral trade and investment.
On these happy occasions, I take the opportunity to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to the Government of the Republic of the Philippines for their continuous support to the Embassy of Bangladesh in the Philippines. I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the Bangladeshi expatriate community living in the Philippines for their valuable contributions to the economies of both countries.
Joi Bangla (Victory Bangladesh), long live Bangladesh-Philippines relationships.
Today is the great Independence and National Day. Bangladesh entered its 52nd year after the golden jubilee of independence. On this auspicious occasion, I extend my sincere greetings and congratulations to all the Bangladeshi citizens living in the country and abroad.
I remember with the most profound respect the greatest Bengali of all time, the great architect of Bangladesh, the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under whose firm and far-sighted leadership we got an independent country. I remember the four national leaders, including the war organizers, who steered the liberation war with their able guidance. The debt of the blood of 3 million martyrs of the liberation war and the self-sacrifice of 2 hundred thousand mothers and sisters will never be repaid. I pay my deep respects to all the fearless freedom fighters, including war-wounded. I am grateful to all the friendly countries, organizations, institutions, and individuals, particularly the then Prime Minister of India, Shrimati Indira Gandhi, for their generous support during the War.
Young student leader Sheikh Mujib, who was studying in the Department of Law at Dhaka University, had dreamed of establishing a sovereign state in this land since the creation of Pakistan in 1947. Pakistanis’ social, economic, and political discriminatory attitudes became clear day by day. Sheikh Mujib remained steadfast in defending the rights and dignity of the Bengalis in return for any sacrifice. The two organizations of his far-reaching thoughts are the Chhatra League and the Awami League, where he was deeply involved from the beginning until the end of his life. From the language movement of ’52 to the victory of the United Front election of ‘54, the anti-Ayub movement of ’62, six points of ’66, and the mass upsurge of ’69, these two organizations had an immense role in the struggles. In the face of public outrage, Ayub Khan was forced to repeal the Agartala Conspiracy Case. Sheikh Mujib became the beacon of hope and aspiration of Bengalis, Bangabandhu. On December 5, 1969, on the death anniversary of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib declared, “From today, the name of this eastern part of Pakistan will be solely Bangladesh, instead of East Pakistan.”
The Awami League, led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, won a single majority in the National Assembly in the ’70 elections. However, the Pak-military Junta started procrastinating without transferring power. Sheikh Mujib called for a non-cooperation movement and, in his historic speech on March 7, gave a clear outline of the goal of liberation from the long 23 years of rule and exploitation. On March 23, the flag emblazoned with the map of Bangladesh was hoisted all over the country. At midnight on march 25, Pakistani troops started killing unarmed Bengalis in the name of ‘Operation Search Light’ Pak Junta arrested Sheikh Mujib at an early hour on March 26. He made the official declaration of independence before he was arrested. The Bengali leader of the people was imprisoned in the Mianwali jail in Pakistan and subjected to inhumane torture. At the call of the Father of the Nation, the freedom-loving people of Bengal, inspired by the slogan ‘Joy Bangla; started fighting, taking up arms for the liberation of the motherland. On April 17, the Mujibnagar government swore in designating Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as President, Syed Nazrul Islam as Vice President, Tajuddin Ahmad as Prime Minister, Captain M Mansur Ali, and AHM Kamaruzzaman as Minister. After a long 9-month armed struggle, independent sovereign Bangladesh was liberated on December 16 with the help of the allied forces.
The Father of the Bengali Nation, President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was released from Pakistan, returned to his beloved independent motherland on January 10, 1972, and devoted himself to rebuilding the war-torn country. With the help of allies, though there was an empty treasury, he rehabilitated the displaced people, restored and developed the infrastructure, and put the production sector and the economy on a solid foundation. He approved a constitution within nine months of independence. He made the country the Least Developed Country in just three and a half years; the UN endorsed that. Bangladesh gained recognition from 123 countries and membership in 27 international organizations through his diplomatic efforts. But our misfortune is that the defeated anti-independence clique of ’71 continues to conspire against him. Incumbent President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was martyred along with his family members on August 15, 1975, by the brutal bullet of the assassin. the murderous Mostaq-Zia and their successors illegally seized power and established a dictatorship in the country. The BNP tarnished the proud history of the Bengali nation by placing the perpetrators of the infernal massacre on March 25, criminals against humanity, war criminals, and killers of the Father of the Nation, in the government.
Bangladesh Awami League, after a long 21 years, in 1996, won the people’s mandate and got the responsibility of running the government. We took on the mission of transforming the lives of poor and marginalized people by introducing social security programs; making the country self-sufficient in food production, setting up community clinics to provide primary health care to marginalized people; and building houses for homeless people by taking shelter projects. We strengthened the local government system; and made mobile phones and computer technology readily available. Our government signed a 30-year Ganges water-sharing agreement with India in 1996. To establish peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, we signed the historic peace agreement in 1997 and repatriated the Chakma refugees who had taken refuge in India to Bangladesh. On March 8, 1997, we announced the women’s development policy. Awami League provided approval for launching privately-owned terrestrial and satellite television channels. We started the trial for Killing the Father of the Nation by repealing the Indemnity Ordinance, established the independence of judiciary, the rule of law, and human rights; and re-established the liberation war values in society and national life by preventing distortion of history. Our government’s 1996-2001 term was a journey towards a brighter future, breaking the shackle of backwardness, underdevelopment, and poverty.
Bangladesh Awami League has been running the government since 2009 with the people’s unwavering support in all the national elections. We transformed Bangladesh in a developing country by implementing Vision 2021, created a digital Bangladesh, and brought 100 percent of people under electricity coverage. Our government opened the door to the blue economy by establishing sovereignty over the vast sea area. Implementing the land boundary agreement with India ended the enclaves’ long-standing misery. We have constructed the Padma Bridge with our own funds and inaugurated Metrorail. Besides, mega-projects like Matarbari Power Project, Rooppur Nuclear Power Station, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under Karnaphuli, Sonadia Deep Sea Port, Elevated Expressway, and so on are also progressing faster. We launched the Bangabandhu-1 satellite into space; and inaugurated 100 bridges and 100 roads and highways in a single day. Currently, our per capita income has risen to US$ 2,824. We formulated the Second Perspective Plan, Vision-2041, for the next 20 years and have started implementing it. Bangladesh in 2041 will be a ‘Smart Bangladesh’. We are implementing the ‘Bangladesh Delta Plan-2100’ for our future generation.
We established the rule of law in the country by enforcing the verdict on trial against the killers of the Father of the Nation and the war criminals against humanity. We published four volumes of the ‘Records of Proceedings, Agartala Conspiracy Case’ filed by Pakistani rulers against Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, 11 volumes out of 14 of the ‘Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1948-1971),’ including The Unfinished Memories, The Prison Diaries, and New China 1952. I believe that by reading these books, the new generation will clearly understand the firm footprints of the Father of the Nation in the history of independence.
Awami League government believes in the philosophy of upgrading the fate of the people. We are running our government through immediate, short, medium, and long-term plans to make life easier of ordinary people and develop the country. Moreover, we regularly monitor the implementation progress of our election manifesto. Due to these reasons, People’s trust and strong support for Awami League continues.
On this auspicious occasion of Independence Day and National Day, I call upon all Bangladeshis to nurture the spirit and ideals of the Great Liberation War and participate in building the hungerpoverty-free, self-confident, and self-respecting ‘Golden Bangladesh’ of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s dream.
Joi Bangla, Joi Bangabandhu May Bangladesh Live Forever.