President for pro-people, sustainable development to attain goal of independence

President Md Abdul Hamid today (March 25) said people-oriented and sustainable development, good governance, social justice, transparency and accountability must be ensured in the country in order to achieve the desired goal of Independence.

"In order to achieve the desired goal of Independence, we must ensure people-oriented and sustainable development, good governance, social justice, transparency and accountability," he said in a message on the eve of the Great Independence and National Day to be observed tomorrow.

President Abdul Hamid said forbearance, human rights and rule of law have to be consolidated for institutionalizing democracy.

"It is our sacred duty to ensure a safe, happy, beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh for the new generation," he said.

He extended his heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to the fellow countrymen living at home and abroad.

"On this day, I remember with profound respect the architect of our independent Bangladesh, the greatest Bangalee of all time Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On the fateful night of March 25, 1971, the invading forces of Pakistan suddenly attacked the unarmed Bangalees," he said.

The President said in the early hours of March 26, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman officially declared the Independence of Bangladesh.

"We achieved an independent and sovereign Bangladesh through a nine-month long Liberation War under the able leadership of Bangabandhu," he said.

He recalled with deep respect the millions of martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the War of Liberation.

"I recall with deep reverence our Four National Leaders, heroic freedom-fighters, organizers, supporters. foreign friends and people from all walks of life who made contributions to attain our right to self-determination and freedom movement," he said.

He said Bangabandhu always cherished a dream of building a happy and prosperous country along with attaining political emancipation.

The present government has been rendering untiring efforts in materializing the dream of Bangabandhu, he said, adding that today, Bangladesh is moving towards the highway of development at an inexorable pace.

"We have achieved enormous success in various areas of socio-economic development including poverty alleviation, education, health, human resource development, women empowerment, reduction of child and maternal mortality rates, elimination of gender discrimination and increase in average life expectancy," he said.

The President said poverty rate has dropped whereas per capita income has increased. A huge number of landless and homeless people are being rehabilitated, he added.

"The Padma Bridge, constructed with our own resources and the Metrorail has already been opened for traffic. Works of Payra Deep Sea Port, Karnafuli Tunnel, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's Third Terminal and Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant are also progressing uninterruptedly," he said.

The President said Bangladesh has already elevated from a least developed country to a developing country.

He hoped Bangladesh will turn into a developed, smart and prosperous country in the world by 2041 with the continuation of development process._BSS.