Prime minister Sheikh Hasina releases a pigeon at the rally of children and juveniles, marking the 46th Independence and National Day at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka on Saturday. Photo: Focusbangla
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday urged all to build the country through united efforts so that the national does not lag behind anymore.
“The government has taken all sorts of steps to make the country hunger and poverty-free one…we’ll build the country…we’ll no longer lag behind…we’ll march forward…let’s build the country through united efforts,” she said.
The prime minister said this while addressing a rally of children and juveniles, arranged by the Dhaka district administration, marking the 46th Independence and National Day, at Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Sheikh Hasina said, “We’ve attained a position in the world arena… now we’ll march forward further.”
The government wants to build the country in a way so that no one can neglect Bangladesh anymore, she said adding, “We’ll build the country in such a way so that we can move around the world keeping our heads high.”
The Prime Minister called upon the children and juveniles to make them prepared to lead the country in the future. “On the Independence Day, it’s my best wishes that our children will build them as worthy citizens to uphold the dignity which Bangladesh has already earned and move forward. Our children must remember that we’re a victorious nation. We’ve earned freedom through the War of Liberation.”
Hasina said children are the future leaders of the country and they will have to prepare to lead the country by receiving education, obeying their guardians and taking part in different activities, including sports and cultural activities.
Recalling the long history of oppression and negligence of Pakistani rulers to Bengali nation, the Prime Minister said children had no access to food, education and healthcare during those days of repression.
“People were in miseries as the rulers had been exploiting people and looting their wealth.”
Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had staged his protests against the repression and exploitations.
She said the March 7 speech of Bangabandhu inspired people to forge a unity against the Pakistani rulers and get prepared for a guerrilla war. On March 25, the occupation forces swooped on the Bengali people and launched the history’s most barbaric genocide, she recalled.
The Prime Minister said in the early hours of March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman formally proclaimed Independence of Bangladesh and asked people to continue their fight against the Pakistani forces.
Soon after the proclamation of Independence, the Pakistani junta detained Bangabandhu, but he prepared the people of Bangladesh beforehand for the war and at his call people held arms and freed the nation from enemies on December 16 after nine months of a bloody war.
Hasina also inspected a parade of children arranged on the occasion and took salute. She also witnessed a spectacular march past and colorful physical display of the children.
Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka M SalaUddin gave vote of thanks.
The gallery of the Bangabandhu National Stadium was decorated with portraits of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bir Shresthas, photographs of the Prime Minister and natural beauty of Bangladesh.
Source: Prothom Alo
