'Bangabandhu struggled for people's economic emancipation'

Staff Correspondent: President M Abdul Hamid said Bangabandhu, throughout his life, struggled for independence along with people's economic emancipation.

The President made the statement today (August 14) in a message on the occasion of National Mourning Day.

He said, "Bangabandhu dreamt of building "Sonar Bangla" (Golden Bangla) free from hunger and poverty. Enriching with knowledge and prudence, therefore, it is our utmost responsibility to build our country a happy and prosperous one by completing the unfinished task of Bangabandhu and in this way we can pay our deep tribute to the immortal soul of the soil."

"Tuesday is tragic 15th August, the National Mourning Day. It is the 42nd martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On this day in 1975, the greatest Bangalee of all times and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with his wife, sons, daughters-in-law and near and dear ones embraced martyrdom. With heavy heart, I pay my deep homage to them. I pray to the Almighty Allah for the salvation of the departed souls on this National Mourning Day."

The 15th August in 1975 is regarded as a disgraceful chapter in the history of the Bangalee, the President said, adding on this day the undisputed leader and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brutally assassinated at his Dhanmondi residence by a group of killers with the connivance of anti-liberation forces.

"His wife Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, sons namely Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and minor child Sheikh Russel and some near and dear ones were also assassinated along with Bangabandhu. This barbarous occurrence was rare not only in the history of Bangladesh but also in the history of the world. The anti-liberation forces wanted to reinstate the defeated forces by annihilating the ideals of the war of liberation through the massacre," he said.

In the message Hamid said Bangabandhu, was a visionary leader and the architect of independence, led the nation at every struggle and democratic movement including the historic Language Movement in 1952, Juktafront Election in 1954, movement against Martial Law in 1958, Six-Point Movement in 1966, Mass Upsurge in 1969 and the General Elections in 1970 which all were directed towards attaining the right to self-determination.

"Bangabandhu never compromised on the question of the rights of Bangali. He upheld the interest of Bangali and Bangladesh even at the gallows. Crossing manifold acclivities and declivities, the great leader finally declared country's independence on March 26, 1971 and our achieved victory through a nine month long armed struggle under his leadership. The world renowned Newsweek Magazine of its 5 April, 1971 edition termed Bangabandhu as a "Poet of Politics" which marked the firm trust and deep respect by the world community to the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," he added.

Abdul Hamid said that Bangladesh has embarked upon a remarkable journey towards development and prosperity. In every aspect of socio-economic indicator, Bangladesh has attained impressive achievements and is now marching ahead with attaining continuous growth, raising per capita income, implementing mega project like the Padma Bridge by own resources, adding, "Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangabandhu, has set `Vision 2021' and `Vision 2041' in order to transform Bangladesh into a prosperous and developed country. With the concerted efforts from all, I am confident that Bangladesh would be a developed one by 2041, InshaAllah."



risingbd/Dhaka/Aug 14, 2017/Hasibul/Nasim