Bangabandhu keeps the interest of country atop

Today is the 99th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu, the vivacious leader of the Bangalee nation, the architect of independent Bangladesh and the greatest Bangalee of all times, was born in a greatly respected Muslim family in Tungipara village of Gopalganj sub-division, now district. He was the third among four daughters and two sons of his parents - Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and Saira Khatun. Bangladesh would not emerge as an independent state if this great leader was not born.

Today, the entire nation is celebrating his birthday with due respect. The day is also being observed as the National Children's Day as Bangabandhu liked to spend time with children on his birthday. Throughout his life, Bangabandhu has done only one thing and that is to dedicate his life for Bangla and the liberation of the Bangalee nation. He has always upheld the interest of the country and its people defying the dominance of the Pakistani rulers. He never succumbed to any temptation or fear and even in exchange of anything. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman becomes an undisputed leader for the Bangalee nation due to his deep political wisdom, sacrifice and unique love to people.

Bangabandhu was a torchbearer for those Bangalee people who were the repressed and the oppressed. Bangabandhu, who was a man of big heart, loved all with his heart. He did not do politics for power and retaining power or for becoming prime minister. His aim was to liberate the motherland from the deprivation and oppression of the Pakistani rulers. He was adamant to unite the entire Bangalee nation for ultimate freedom in spite of being in Pakistan jail for years and did the job finally.

On March 7 in 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his fiery speech called on the freedom-loving Bangalis to wage a decisive struggle against the Pakistani rulers. “Ebarer sangram amader muktir sangram, ebarer sangram swadhinatar sangram [The struggle this time is a struggle for emancipation, the struggle this time is a struggle for independence]”, Bangabandhu declared in a thunderous voice at a mammoth rally at the Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) that day. “Turn every house into a fortress, resist the enemy with everything you have ... Having mastered the lesson of sacrifice, we shall give more blood. God willing [Inshallah], we shall free the people of this land,” Bangabandhu also said in his speech. His speech was a milestone in the history of struggle for the liberation of the country. The watershed speech touched every Bangali heart across the then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, and mobilised the whole nation, excepting a few pro-Pakistani elements, to prepare for the ultimate sacrifice they made in the Liberation War. UNESCO has recognised the historic 7th March Speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as part of the world’s documentary heritage. The historic 7th March speech of the Father of the Nation has been included in the Memory of the World International Register, a list of world’s important documentary heritage maintained by UNESCO.

Bangabandhu was a man of big and great heart. He sacrificed everything of his own for people. His politics and programme were only for people. Bangabandhu went to London on his way home after being released from Pakistan’s jail in 1972. At a press conference held there that day, journalists asked him a question, “Bangladesh has now turned into debris”. In reply, he said, “My beloved motherland will one day turn into Sujala-Sufola Shasya-Shyamola, poverty and hunger-free Sonar Bangla from the debris.” His reply of that day is now a reality. Bangabandhu had got time only three and a half years. By this time he rebuilt the war ravaged country and gave Bangladesh the shape of an independent nation. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared to formulate constitution for newly independent state – Bangladesh in the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly on 10 April 1972. For the newly independent state, the constitution is composed within only seven months under the direction of Bangabandhu.

Bangabandhu has dedicated his whole life for the cause of the people as he deeply loved them. He wanted to see Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous nation where people would not remain oppressed, intimidated and deprived. He sacrificed everything of his own for the cause of people. Bangabandhu used to give away his schoolbooks and personal belongings to help the poor friends and fellow schoolmates as he deeply felt their sufferings. That’s why he is loved and respected by all walks of life. Today, we recall with utmost respect the Father of the Nation on his happy birthday.


risingbd/Dhaka/March 17, 2018/Ali Nowsher/AI