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LECTURE-BANGABANDHU-MOMEN
Bangabandhu dedicated his whole life to build ‘Sonar Bangla’: Momen
DHAKA, March 15, 2021 (BSS) – Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen today said Bangabandhu dedicated his whole life to ensuring people’s economic emancipation ending economic disparity and injustice for building “Sonar Bangla”, an equitable and just society.
“When Sheikh Mujibur Rahman alias Khoka (boy) was born on 17 March 1920 in Tungipara, Gopalganj… none could imagine that this boy would become a legendary figure, ‘people’s hero’ and a saviour of the Bengali nation,” he said.
Foreign Minister said this while speaking as chief guest at the 4th Bangabandhu Lecture Series titled “Bangabandhu: the Soul of Bangladesh” at the Foreign Service Academy here.
Marking this March as special and very significant, Momen said whole nation will witness two rare occasions-commemoration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 17 and celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh on March 26 .
Momen said that in the domain of international affairs present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina continues to pursue the founding father’s dictum of “Friendship to all, malice towards none”.
“This maxim is still an inseparable part of present Bangladesh for its engagement with nations for the protection of national interest as well as for guiding the global community to foster peace and harmony,” he added.
Momen also highlighted Bangabandhu’s perusal about the rights of the exploited and oppressed people, not only of Bangladesh but across the world as well.
About the maiden speech of Bangabandhu at the UN in 1974, foreign minister said Bangabandhu eloquently spoke against apartheid in South Africa, denial of rightful aspirations of Palestine and for ending killing in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Referring to the dream of Father of the Nation, Momen said Bangabandhu not only dreamt of an independent nation-state named Bangladesh but also materialized their centuries-old dream of Bengali nation- that is establishing an independent nation-state.
Speaking about Bangabandhu’s charismatic and iconic leadership, he said many political stalwarts, who came before and after Bangabandhu tried to inspire the Bengali nation, however, no one could awaken the Bengalis or unite the whole nation the way Bangabandhu did.
The foreign minister recalled Bangabandhu’s historic 7th March 1971 speech where Sheikh Mujibur Rahman spoke about the struggle for independence and asked people to prepare for an all-out non-cooperation movement, which was non-violent and peaceful.
Momen pointed out that like Mahatma Gandhi, Bangabandhu never resorted to violence to establish the rights of the common people.
“Throughout his life, he chooses the path of peaceful legal process in all his political campaigns, all his political movements, for these ideals, he (Sheikh Mujib) was in and out of jail and spent over 13 years of his prime life in confinement sacrificing his personal comfort during 23 years of Pakistani rule,” he said.
Momen said, embracing the ideals of her father (Bangabandhu), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has singed the peace accord in the Chittagong Hill Tracts during her first term as Prime Minister more than two decades ago.
“She (Sheikh Hasina) also became the ‘mother of humanity’ by providing shelter and humanitarian assistance to the 1.1 million hapless and persecuted Rohingya population from Myanmar-which is a unique example of humanity and compassion,” he added.
Momen said Bangladesh is contributing towards world peace through its active participation in UN peacekeeping missions and continued to be the top troop-contributing country for more than the last three decades.
In the lecture session, Ex-General Secretary of the United Nations (UN) Ban Ki-moon was the keynote speaker and he shared his experience with Father of the Nation and highlighted philosophy and vision of Bangabandhu in the global context.
BSS/MMH/TA/SKB/ 2040 hrs