Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. COURTESY
Bangladesh, today, stands tall as a proud nation in the world, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday in her address to the nation on the occasion of the golden jubilee of independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“Stepping into the 50 years of independence is a significant milestone as a nation. This golden jubilee is all the more colourful to us since Bangladesh Awami League is leading the government on the values of our liberation war after forming the government. All negative perception and pessimistic prediction about the country has been proved meaningless and Bangladesh, today, stands tall in the global arena a proud nation,” the premier said.
At the beginning of her speech, the prime minister extended her heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all the citizens of Bangladesh living inside and outside the country. At the same time, she expressed her gratitude to the friendly states, institutions and individuals, who extended a helping hand in the most difficult times of Bangladesh.
Giving credit to the people for all the achievements, the Prime Minister said, “Today’s achievements belong to the common people of this country.” “The peasants-labours-service holders of this country, our expatriate brothers and sisters, the entrepreneurs of this country – with their labour, talent and innovative force they have made possible the impossible task of alleviating poverty. Our government has just created a supportive environment with policy support. You have proved that the people of Bangladesh can make the impossible possible if they get a favourable environment.”
“The county’s journey so far was not smooth at all,” she said adding the anti-independence and anti-liberation forces inside and outside the country have carried out various activities to hinder the progress of Bangladesh. That process is still ongoing.
The Prime Minister called upon everyone to take the role of vigilant watchdog and stand up against all anti-national activities.
“In exchange for a sea of blood, we have achieved the freedom for our beloved motherland," she said. “At the call of our charismatic leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the students left the educational institutions, the workers left the factories, the farmers left the fields, the blacksmiths, and the potters, the fishermen left their jobs and jumped into the war of liberation. Bengali members of the armed forces and law enforcement forces left Pakistan and joined the resistance struggle. Everyone, irrespective of race, religion, participated in our liberation war,” she reminisced the time of our liberation struggle in 1971.
“Imagine for a second how many mothers have lost their children, how many fathers have lost their sons, how many siblings have lost their brothers, how many wives have lost their husbands, how many children have lost their fathers – that has allowed us to enjoy the freedom in an independent country,” the premier said.
Speaking about the valiant freedom fighters, she said, “How many freedom fighters are crippled and living a miserable life? Their only hope was that the country would be independent. The people of this country will be able to live happily and peacefully. Everyone will enjoy basic rights. Today we have been able to meet some of those expectations.”
On this auspicious occasion of the golden jubilee of independence, we have to take an oath that no one can play with the fate of the people of Bangladesh. It can’t hinder the country's democratic and development progress. Let's forget all the differences and be inspired by the spirit of our liberation war and built Bangladesh as the developed and prosperous non-communal ‘Sonar Bangla’ that Bangabandhu dreamt of.
“We’re celebrating the golden jubilee of independence. However, this celebration should not be just a formality. With the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation and the golden jubilee of independence in mind, we have to take a new oath to take our country to a new height,” she added.
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