Today we celebrate the 33rd anniversary of our Independence. Our Independence and National Day brings to mind the supreme sacrifices of our people for establishing a sovereign Bangladesh in the comity of’ nations.
On this auspicious day, I pay my rich tributes to the memories of those countless martyrs who laid down their lives for a free and independent Bangladesh.
I also extend my heartiest greetings to all Bangladeshis at home and abroad.
Our great war of independence began with the bold proclamation of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in March of 1971, calling for the establishment of Bangladesh. People from all walks of the life responded spontaneously to his electrifying call and after a nine-month bloody struggle, Bangladesh emerged as a new state.
Freedom is the most accelerating and ennobling of all human emotion, it enables freedom of thought and action, thereby creating the foundation of a democratic society through which we aim to change the lot of the masses and improve their socio-economic living conditions. It is on this foundation that we seek to build a better and stronger Bangladesh through hard work, commitment and dedication and taking advantage of the advancement of science and technology of our times.
To achieve this goal, our government has already adopted a series of measures covering all sectors of the economy.
These have started to yield positive results. We have succeeded in increasing literacy rate, reducing poverty and to check environmental degradation in the country.
We are also seeking to give democracy deep roots in the society and we have emerged as a role model for communal harmony and tolerance.
In the field of our foreign relations, our government continues to promote wider cooperation with the countries of the world, bilaterally, regionally and internationally.
While consolidating our relations with the follow SAARC member countries and our brethren in the Islamic world, our “Look East” policy has infused a new dynamism in our foreign policy.
Our globally recognized Success in UN peacekeeping operations have been catalytical in ensuring peace and stability in various parts of the world.
We pursue a foreign policy that is based on the principles of sovereign equality of states and it is pursued for the protection and preservation of our national interests.
In conveying my warmest felicitations to fellow Bangladeshis living abroad, I recall their significant contributions to the country from the time of our liberation war till today. You all are our goodwill ambassadors. You, therefore, have a role to play in upholding the image of our dear motherland where you reside. It is only through working together and unitedly, irrespective of party affiliations and opinions, that we can build happy and prosperous Bangladesh and pay true homage to those who had sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
On this great occasion, let us take a new pledge to unitedly build a society that can be rightfully proud of its achievements. I wish all Bangladeshis living at home and abroad happiness, peace and prosperity.
Bangladesh Zindabad
Allah Hafiz.
