Bangabandhu, The People’s Hero

Staff Correspondent

Published:25 Feb 2021, 09:25 AM

Bangabandhu,The People’s Hero, is a remarkable book, published by The External Publicity Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ to commemorate the auspicious year of Bangabandhu Sheikh MujiburRahman’s Centenary. This book is a collection of articles penned by prominent personalities, who personally knew Bangabandhu. It is also supplemented with a compilation of world leaders’ views about Bangabandhu and some photos and images, depicting the life of the Father of the nation. Starting Janunary 2, Bangladesh News is publishing the book as a series.

[PART-20]

‘No people have had to pay as high a price in human life and suffering for their freedom as have been exacted from the people of Bangladesh. I cannot wait a single moment to return to my people. I congratulate our heroic people both at home and abroad and in particular, all sections of the Muktibahini,

who have led the people to their cherished goal of freedom. I also mourn today the sacred memory of the millions of martyrs who lost their lives in the struggle for liberation and pray to Almighty for their departed souls.

The independent sovereign People’s Republic of Bangladesh, which has come into existence

as a result of struggle is now an unchallengeable reality. I would like to thank all those freedom-loving States who have supported our national liberation struggle, in particular India, the Soviet Union, Poland and other East European countries, the United Kingdom and also those freedom-loving peopleof the United States of America. I now appeal to all States to extend recognition to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, to enter into diplomatic relations with her and to support her immediate admission to the United Nations.’ ‘As regards the reported talks with Mr. Bhutto– the new President of Pakistan, those consisted of an appeal by Mr. Bhutto to me and to the people of Bangladesh through me to consider finding some possible link between them and the people of Bangladesh. I told him that I could not say anything about this matter until I return to my people. I reiterate that the existence of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is an unchallengeable reality and that her future relations with any people.

… to be continued.