PM for representing country's real history before generations

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sunday emphasised representing the country's real history of victory and achievements before generation to generation to inspire them to work for the nation being imbued with patriotism. "After knowing the real history, they (generation to generation) not only will be imbued with patriotism but also will get inspiration to contribute to the country's people instead of self interest, as a noble spirit will come which is needed for us," she said.

The premier made this remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of a scroll painting on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and its exhibition at the National Museum as the chief guest, joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban. She said the government has developed the country a lot from 2009 to 2022 as lives of the people have changed significantly.

She mentioned that poverty has been reduced while people are getting education and other facilities where development has been spread to the rural areas. "With this development, I think the sacrifices and struggles of the people behind these achievements will be known by others," she said.

The prime minister said many occasions (days) are being observed in the country as the new generation could not know the real significance and history through those events.

Sheikh Hasina said the country observes February 21 as International Mother Language Day and Martyrs' Day, historic March 7 speech of the Father of the Nation, brutal assassination of Bangabandhu on August 15 and genocide of 1971.

She continued that the struggle of the people and the bravery of the Bangalees to liberate the country through a war should be depicted before the new generation. "We have many incidents like these. Our children, youths and generations have to know these history. Knowing these, they will be imbued with patriotism and devoted to the welfare of the people and the country," she said. She went on saying, "they will be inspired with spirit . . . and that is very much important for us."

The prime minister said an evil attempt was hatched to erase the name of Bangabandhu, his struggle and sacrifice from the history of the nation after his brutal assassination in 1975. "But, truth has triumphed as the name of the Father of the Nation could not be erased from the history of the country," she said.

She expressed her gratitude to the artists, poets, novelists and others sections of the people for their efforts to bring Bangabandhu in their creative works over years. She expressed her satisfaction that the 150 feet long scroll painting will be exhibited in the whole country gradually. The prime minister also suggested placing the scroll painting in Tungipara at Bangabandhu Mausoleum.

Now, the fortnight-long scroll painting exhibition based on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's life is ongoing at Nalini Kanta Bhattasali Gallery at the capital's National Museum. The title of the country's largest scroll painting is "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib: Mohajiboner Pot" (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib: Great Canvas of the Great Life).

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee is organizing the event to make Bangabandhu's birth centenary and the golden jubilee of the country's independence memorable.

Noted painting artist Shahjahan Ahmed Bikash drew the 150 feet-long scroll painting illustrating Bangabandhu's life and works, which is expected to inspire the people to be imbued with the ideals of Father of the Nation.

Birth centenary celebration committee's Chief Coordinator Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury delivered the welcome address, while painting artiste Shahjahan Ahmed Bikash expressed his feelings on the painting at the inaugural function.

Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, MP, Bangladesh Charu Shilpi Sangsad President Artist Jamal Ahmed and Artist Afzal Hossain also spoke at the function. At the outset of the ceremony, the theme song of Mujib Year is played and a video documentary on the scroll painting was screened.