On the eve of the celebrations marking the thirty-eighth anniversary of the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh, let me convey my warmest greetings and congratulations to all our fellow countrymen both at home and abroad.
March 26 is a day to commemorate – to remember the dead and to honor the living.
On this auspicious occasion, let me recall with deep gratitude the contribution of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his indomitable spirit – that transcended the boundaries of race and religion, of faiths and of fraternities – culminating in the freedom of our nation from the bondages of foreign occupation and economic oppression.
On this auspicious occasion, let me recall with sincere respect the contribution of our national leaders who took upon their shoulders the responsibility of steering the nation to its destiny at the darkest of hours in 1971.
On this auspicious occasion, let me remember, without a doubt and with profound reverence, our valiant freedom fighters who laid down their lives at the altar of freedom without asking ‘why’ or ‘what’ they would get’ in return. Let me recall those who suffered the most – the wounded and the tortured – together with their families. Words cannot be sufficient to venerate the supreme sacrifices these brave individuals – both men and women – made for the sake of an ideal.
Let me recognize this day that as a nation, or for that matter, as a government, we have done little to value the contribution that these individuals and families made to the country we live in, and for that matter, to the flag that we fly today.
March 26 is a day to celebrate. This day is to celebrate the fulfillment of a promise in the offing for a thousand years… and to celebrate the renewal of that promise.
This day is to celebrate the promise of freedom… and to celebrate the birth of a nation. Let me congratulate the fighting spirit of my countrymen – constantly battling the merciless odds of nature and cruel intentions of vested interest groups. Let me congratulate our expatriates’ community for their role in the development of our country. We salute the tireless efforts rendered by our expatriates – working far away from home – for the betterment of lives here in Bangladesh. The 26th day of March is a day to unite…to unite once again for a cause.
Let this 26th day of March, and the year 2009, be the day to unite for delivering Bangladesh from the clutches of poverty, malnutrition, disease, illiteracy, and ignorance. Under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the present government and my ministry will always be with you.