The vent to remain inspirational for youths: Kamal

Just concluded 10-day grand celebration of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary and the golden jubilee of the country’s independence will inspire the next generation to learn the country’s glorious past as well as uphold the country’s development and success before the world.

Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Chief Coordinator of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee, said the grand event has created a separate dimension about Bangladesh before the international community with physical and virtual participation including sending video and congratulatory messages by 54 world leaders and international personalities.

“Five heads of state and government joined the event in person. A total of 49 world leaders and distinguished personalities of global organizations sent video messages. Every one lauded the unprecedented socio-economic development of Bangladesh,” he added.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana, Chowdhury said the Bangalee nation paid their glowing tributes to the Father of the Nation for his great contribution to create an independent and sovereign nation.

“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana always gave instructions to us. As per their instructions, we could successfully organize the event. This is an historical event for the nation as well as the whole world,” he added.

The 10-day grand celebration was held at the National Parade Square from March 17 to March 26 with a vow to translating Bangabandhu’s dream into reality and taking ahead the country to a new height of development.

The main theme of the 10-day event was ‘Mujib Chirantan’ while each day was celebrated with separate themes.

‘Vengechho Duar Esechho Jotirmoy’ was the theme for March 17, ‘Mohakaler Torjoni’ for March 18, ‘Jotokal Robe Padma Jamuna’ for March 19, ‘Tarunner Alokshikha’ for March 20, ‘Dhongsostupe Jiboner Gan’ for March 21, ‘Banglar Mati, Amar Mati’ for March 22, ‘Nari Mukti, Sammo o Swadhinata’ for March 23, Santi, Mukti o Manobotar Agrodoot’ for March 24 events, ‘Gonohottar Kalratri o Aloker Avijatra’ for March 25 and ‘Swadhinatar Panchash Bochhor o Agrogotir Subornorekha’ for March 26.

Major streets and key points across the country were illuminated with colourful lights as part of the festival while the television channels including the state-run BTV broadcast the 10-day programmes live, alongside live streaming was aired online and on social media in view of the current situation of Covid-19.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering, Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih joined the grand celebration in person.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, US President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and famous British journalist Mark Talley, among others, sent the video and congratulatory messages.

Every day, the programme was arranged in two segments—discussion and cultural sessions.

The speakers discussed on Bangabandhu’s life and works and his contribution for Bangalee nation.

During cultural session, eminent local and international artistes performed events highlighting culture and heritage of Bangladesh and respective countries.

The government will celebrate the ‘Mujib Borsho’, the yearlong observance of Bangabandhu’s centenary till December 16, Victory Day of Bangladesh, this year.

Earlier, the government declared the ‘Mujib Borsho’ (Mujib Year) from 17 March 2020 to 26 March 2021.