DHAKA, Dec 17, 2018 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has uplifted Bangladesh from the state of ‘bottomless basket’ by driving economic growth and attaining significant socio-economic development, veteran journalist Adbul Gaffar Chowdhury said.
“Once Bangladesh was labeled as a bottomless basket, and it is Sheikh Hasina who has promoted the country before the world to a prestigious position by her dynamic leadership and zeal for socio-economic development”, he said.
The celebrity writer of the lyric “Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano” which becomes the theme song for commemorating the Bengali Language Movement, made this remark at a discussion meeting to celebrate the 48th Victory Day, organized by the Bangladesh High Commission in London, according to an official release reached here today.
Referring to the phenomenal development in major fronts including economy, infrastructure and social sectors, he said all of these were achieved by the current government under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
Besides these sectors, Chowdhury said Bangladesh had also been moved ahead of its neighbouring countries including Pakistan in combating terrorism.
Indian High Commissioner Ruchi Ghanashyam, UK Awami League President Sultan Mahmud Sharif, senior British parliamentarians and representative from Tower Hamlet also spoke at the discussion meeting, held at the Baden Powell House in London.
At the beginning of the programme, a one-minute solemn silence was observed, showing respect to the supreme sacrifices of the war heroes, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members.
Participating in the discussion, the speakers recalled the greatest Bangalee of all time Bangabandhu saying that his profound leadership freed the Bengali nation from a pro-longed repression and intense political struggle and brought people the ultimate victory on this day in 1971 after a 9-month bloody war against the Pakistani occupation forces.
High Commissioner Saida Tasneem Muna gave the welcome speech at the programme calling the new generation to uphold the values and spirit of the liberation war.
She lauded the unique leadership of daughter of Bangabandhu and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for making Bangladesh a role model of development with achieving phenomenal economic growth and social development.
The high commissioner hoped that Bangladesh would be a prosperous country by 2021 under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
The day’s programme began at 11 am with hoisting of the national flag at the Bangladesh High Commission premises by High Commissioner Saida Tasneem Muna while the national anthem was played as a mark of profound respect to the three million martyrs and 200,000 women who lost their innocence during the 9-month liberation war.
Following hoisting of the flag, a special prayer was offered seeking divine blessings for the martyrs of the liberation war, Bangabandhu and his family members who were brutally killed on August 15, 1975.
The Victory Day messages from Bangladesh President Md. Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister A.H. Mahmood Ali and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam were also read out at the event, organised at the mission and attended by leaders of UK Awami League, community personalities and officers and staff members of the Bangladesh High Commission.
A photo exhibition titled “Bangladesh: Birth of a Nation- Timeline 1952-1971” was also organised on the sideline of the discussion meeting.
Renowned artistes from Bangladeshi community in London performed a cultural programme, dedicating to the martyrs of the war of liberation.
The Victory Day celebration ended through an evening tea and treat to the guests and participants of the programme.
The programme was well attended by participation of large number of people including diplomats, politicians, professionals and community leaders.