'A long way to go' as Bangladesh celebrates 48 years of independence on Tuesday

After 48 years of independence, Bangladesh stands with its head high on a strong base, but the nation still has a long way to go to fulfil the expectations for which it started the struggle for freedom, President Md Abdul Hamid has reminded.

Joyanta Sahabdnews24.com
Published : 25 March 2019, 07:44 PM
Updated : 25 March 2019, 07:46 PM

And Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has renewed her resolve to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty.

A day after observing Genocide Day nationally with amid calls for global recognition of the day, Bangladesh is set to celebrate 48 years of independence from Pakistan on Tuesday.

In their Independence Day messages, the head of the state and the government both urged the people to ensure in their work that the achievement of independence through supreme sacrifice of millions of martyrs remains meaningful.

The Pakistan Army swooped down on the unarmed innocent Bengalis on the night of Mar 25 that year to subjugate their struggle for freedom following 23 years of suppression.

They carried out a genocide in the first hours of that night in Dhaka, codenaming the attack the ‘Operation Searchlight’.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, before being arrested by the Pakistani forces on that night, declared independence.

But, the undisputed leader of the Bengalis had effectively announced the nation’s independence at the historic Mar 7 rally at the Race Course grounds, when he proclaimed in a thundering voice: “This time the struggle is for our freedom. This time the struggle is for our independence.”

Breaking the shackles of suppression, Bengalis put up a valiant resistance and snatched victory on Dec 16 after nine months of Liberation War.

They will pay tribute to the martyrs of the Liberation War throughout Independence Day.

The day’s programmes will be heralded with a 31-gun salute at dawn.

Hamid and Hasina will then place wreaths at the National Memorial in Savar as a mark of respect to the martyrs.

The memorial will then be adorned with flowers and wreaths offered by political parties, social and cultural organisations, and people from all walks of life.

Children will later gather at the Bangabandhu National Stadium for a programme to be attended by Hasina.

The national anthem will be sung at the programme and across the country simultaneously at 8am.

The winners of the school-level competition of the national anthem singing on the correct notes will also be awarded at the function.

Singers will perform patriotic songs on moving trucks and vessels in Dhaka throughout the day in an arrangement by the Directorate of Mass Communication.

Different social and cultural organisations, including the Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum and the Shishu Academy, are organising discussions, cultural functions, and painting, writing, and sport competitions for children.

Receptions will be organised for freedom fighters and families of martyrs at different levels.

‘A LONG WAY TO GO’

With the imminent graduation from the least developed countries or LDC group to a middle-income developing nation, Bangladesh still has “a long way to go”, President Hamid believes.

In his Independence Day message, the president mentioned implementation of ongoing mega projects like Padma Bridge, Metro Rail and Nuclear Power Plant while describing the achievements of the country.

“With the launching of Bangabandhu Satellite, we have cemented our place in the space. We are dreaming of a developed Bangladesh by the year 2041. Bangladesh is now being branded as a role model for outstanding success in socio-economic development,” he said.

“Nevertheless, we have to go a long way for achieving the desired goals of independence. We must ensure good governance, social justice, transparency and accountability to make the development people-oriented and sustainable,” he added.

He also emphasised democracy saying it complements development. He stressed the need for collective initiatives to implement the development ideas of the government and make the new parliament meaningful.

Government and private buildings in Dhaka have been adorned with decorative lighting on the occasion of Mar 26 Independence Day. Photo: Abdullah Al Momin

To ensure that the achievement of an independent country for the Bengalis remains meaningful, Hasina said in her message, all have to know the history of the Liberation War and retain the spirit of independence.

“The spirit of the Liberation War has to be passed on to generation to generation,” she said.

“Being imbued with the spirit of the freedom struggle, the Awami League government has relentlessly been working to develop the country… Due to the continuation of the Awami League government, people at the grassroots are now getting the dividend of development,” Hasina said.

“We will fully honour the huge mandate that the people of our country have given us. We will turn Bangladesh into a middle income country by 2021 and a developed-prosperous one by 2041,” she said, referring to her party’s recent election victory.

To celebrate independence, the main streets of Dhaka and other parts of the country have been decorated with national and colourful flags. All important buildings have been illuminated.

The national flag will be hoisted at all government, semi-government, statutory and private establishments in the morning.

Newspapers will publish supplements to mark the day, while state-run Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, and private radio and TV stations will broadcast special programmes.

All places of worship will hold special prayers while prisoners, patients at hospitals, orphans, and students will be served special food.

The Bangladesh embassies abroad will also organise various Independence Day programmes.