The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed the Independence of Bangladesh through the then wireless of EPR at the first hour of March 26, 1971 when Pakistani occupation forces launched genocide on unarmed Banglaees on the fatal night of March 25, 1971. After a 9-month bloody war under the brave and dauntless leadership of Bangabandhu, we earned the ultimate victory of independence on December 16. On this glorious day, I pay my deep homage to the 3 million heroic Bangalees who sacrificed their lives, and 200 thousand women who lost their innocence in the war of liberation.
I recall with deep gratitude the great leader of our liberation struggle, the greatest Bangalee of all time, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
I also pay my humble tribute to the Four National Leaders and the valiant freedom fighters, who had led and fought against the Pakistani occupation army to free our beloved motherland.
I extend my sympathies to those who had lost their near and dear ones and were subjected to brutal torture and subjugation during the war. I recall with gratitude our foreign friends who had extended their whole-hearted support and cooperation for the cause of our liberation.
On the eve of our Independence Day, I urge countrymen to remain alert against the conspiracies of anti-democratic and anti-progress forces. The defeated anti-liberation, communal and identified reactionary forces are set to undo the democratic and development process of our beloved country, at a time, when our government had executed the verdict of Bangabandhu’s Assassination Case and it is going to start the trial of the war criminals.
In this situation, I urge countrymen to remain united and prepare themselves to foil all ill-designed plots against the government and the people.
The independence earned through huge bloodbath and sacrifice is our people’s greatest achievement. To ensure that this achievement remains meaningful, the spirit of our great liberation war should be reached to every nook and corner of the country. It is by cherishing the true history of our liberation war close to our hearts, we would have to go ahead in achieving the objective of the “charter of change” by building a Bangladesh, free of corruption, mal-governance, terrorism, hunger and poverty.
Our government has been striving hard to establish Bangladesh as poverty, hunger and illiteracy-free digital Bangladesh by 2021, the Golden Jubilee year of our independence. For the success of the noble endeavor, I call upon all people wherever they may be to join us with their utmost sincerity, honesty and dedication.
I am confident that Insha-Allah, with our united efforts, we would surely achieve our “Golden Bangladesh” as envisioned by the Father of the Nation.
Joi Bangla, Joi Bangabandhu
May Bangladesh live forever
