PM calls for working together to build ‘Sonar Bangla’

DHAKA, March 16, 2014 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged all to work together being imbued with the spirit of the liberation war and turn Bangladesh into ”Sonar Bangla” as dreamt by Bangabandhu sinking all differences.

In a message on the eve of the 94th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children’s Day, she paid her deep homage to the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

She also conveyed her best wishes to the countrymen, especially the children, on this auspicious occasion.

“From his boyhood, Bangabandhu was fearless, courageous and humane, and he had an extraordinary intelligence. He was a visionary leader and possessed sharp memory. Bangabandhu was politically conscious and defiant,” the Prime Minister said.

The quality of leadership had grown in his character from his juvenile days, she said adding Bangabandhu led the nation in all
the movements and struggles of the Bangalee nation, including the
language movement, during his long political career. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh emerged as an independent country breaking the shackle of subjugation and Bangalee nationalism flourished under his indomitable leadership.

“He was the leader of the oppressed and deprived masses of the world and an instrument of realising their rights and emancipation. His appealing and charismatic personality had united the entire nation in one string” she added.

“After the independence, Bangabandhu devoted himself to rebuild the country. But the anti-liberation and reactionary forces brutally killed Bangabandhu along with the members of his family on August 15, in 1975 to halt the spirit of the liberation war and development spree” she added.

With this brutal killing, the democratic march of the country and its development were halted, the Prime Minister said adding, “Our constitution, one of the best in the world, was mutilated by the military usurpers. Anti-liberation forces and war criminals were rehabilitated.

” “The countrymen were deprived of their rights to food and votes. The country’s constitution and rule of law were trampled. The history of the country’s independence and war of liberation was distorted” she added.

However, through the execution of the verdict pronounced by the highest court of the soil to the killers of Father of the Nation, the Bangalee nation was freed from the stigma at least to some extent, she said adding efforts are underway to bring back home the remaining absconding killers to implement the verdict. Sheikh Hasina said the trials of war criminals are now going on and verdicts against the war criminals are being executed.

“Bangabandhu had an endless adoration for the children. That is why, the day has been declared as National Children’s Day. On this day, I pray to the Almighty Allah for the peace of the departed soul and a prosperous future for our children and juveniles,” she added.

“On the eve of the birthday of Father of the Nation as well as National Children’s Day, let us take vow to turn our beloved country into a safe abode for the children” the Prime Minister said adding the children would have to know the history of the struggling life of Bangabandhu to build their personality, and make them self-confident and rekindle their patriotism.

“Let us come and dedicate our present for the welfare of the children,” she added.