DHAKA: Today is 26th March- the great Independence Day and National Day of Bangladesh. On this historic day, I extend my heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to all Bangladeshis living both home and abroad.
I recall with profound reverence the greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who declared the independence of Bangladesh on 26th March in 1971. Under his prudent leadership, we finally achieved victory against the Pakistani occupation forces through a nine-month long liberation war. I also pay profound homage to the three million martyrs and two hundred thousand of our mothers and sisters whose utmost sacrifices during the liberation war ushered us this independent Bangladesh.
I also pay my profound gratitude to the members of our Diaspora and the diplomatic front who, during and after our liberation war, played a vital role in gaining international recognition for Bangladesh. I also acknowledge with deep gratitude the enormous contribution of our foreign friends in the emergence of independent Bangladesh.
Bangabandhu was an undisputed leader for the emancipation of Bengalis. He taught us to break the shackles and yearn for freedom. He led us in achieving independence through unyielding hardship and freedom struggle. Bangabandhu dreamt of a happy, prosperous, and equitable ‘Sonar Bangla’- the Golden Bangladesh. His able daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly, in realizing Bangabandhu’s dream, to transform Bangladesh into a developed country by the year 2041. Now Bangladesh, as a ‘Role Model of Development, is on a pathway to prosperity with 6.94% GDP growth rate and US$ 2,591 per capita income. I congratulate all Bangladeshi Diaspora in every corner of the world who are contributing to the development of Bangladesh. I also thank all the members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our missions abroad who have been working relentlessly to uphold Bangladesh’s interest across the world.
On this auspicious day, let’s pledge to work together to transform Bangladesh into a prosperous country that Bangabandhu had dreamt of.
Joi Bangla, Joi Bangabandhu, May Bangladesh Live Forever.
