On this joyous occasion of the 36th Anniversary of our National and Independence Day, I extend my heartiest felicitations to all our countrymen at home and abroad.
On this auspicious day, I join you in paying homage to the valiant freedom fighters and martyrs who sacrificed their lives for our freedom and independence. This day as we celebrate, we fondly remember the immense contributions of our political leaders, members of the armed forces, students, artists and many others in achieving our independence. March 26th, is a memorable day of our national history that epitomizes supreme sacrifices from millions on one hand and people’s aspiration for freedom and economic emancipation on the other.
Over the three and half decades since independence, Bangladesh has achieved significant progress in social sectors, viz., enrollment in primary education with gender parity, primary health care coverage, women empowerment and sanitation. We are, however, faced with mounting challenges of alleviating poverty of one third of our population and establishing a social order free from corruption, cronyism and confrontational politics. The caretaker government headed by Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed is relentlessly working in realizing the dreams of the freedom fighters through reforming and strengthening electoral and other institutions needed to ensure holding of a free and fair election, strengthening democracy and ensuring rule of law. I call upon all expatriate Bangladesh community, who are our envoys abroad, to support the caretaker government and further strengthen their efforts in promoting Bangladesh’s image abroad and to actively participate in the economic development of the country.
Bangladesh is known today in the comity of nations as a moderate Muslim nation with pluralist, tolerant and democratic ethos of its people.
Bangladesh’s contribution to regional cooperation, UN peacekeeping operations, proactive role in major UN bodies and championing concept, like micro-credit and nonformal education is hailed by the international community. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our Missions abroad are making continuous efforts in promoting our national interests and projecting our correct image abroad.
I wish all Bangladeshis peace, prosperity and happiness.
Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury
Adviser for Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh