ZCZC
BSS-35
PRESIDENT-MESSAGE-INDEPENDENCE
President greets countrymen marking the Golden Jubilee of Independence
DHAKA, March 25, 2021 (BSS) – President Md. Abdul Hamid has extended his
heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to the countrymen marking the
Independence and National Day, which is being celebrated this year as the
Golden Jubilee of country’s Independence.
“Today is 26th March, our Independence and National Day. This year we are
celebrating the Golden Jubilee of our Independence. On this occasion, I
extend my heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to my fellow countrymen
living at home and abroad,” said the President in a message on the eve of the
Independence and National Day.
Paying profound respect to the architect of independent Bangladesh Father
of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the President said in the
early hours of March 26 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman officially declared the
Independence of Bangladesh.
On the fateful night of March 25, 1971, the invading forces of Pakistan
suddenly attacked the unarmed Bangalees, he added.
“We achieved an independent and sovereign Bangladesh through a nine-month
long liberation war. I recall with deep respect the millions of martyrs who
sacrificed their lives in the War of Liberation and we achieved our
Independence for their supreme sacrifice,” he added.
The President also recalled with deep reverence the four National Leaders,
valiant freedom-fighters, organizers, supporters, foreign friends and people
from all walks of life who made contributions to attain our right to self-
determination and freedom movement.
He said Bangladesh is now moving towards the highway of development at an
inexorable pace. Bangladesh has achieved enormous success in various areas of
socio-economic development including poverty alleviation, education, health,
human resources development, women empowerment, reduction of child and
maternal mortality rates, elimination of gender discrimination and increase
in average life expectancy, he added.
The rate of poverty has dropped and per capita income has tripled over the
past decade, he said, adding that the Padma Bridge, being constructed by own
resources, is now completely visible. Works on Metro Rail, Payra Deep Sea
Port, Karnaphuli Tunnel, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s Third
Terminal and Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant are also progressing
uninterruptedly, he said.
In various indicators of economic and social development, Bangladesh has
been able to surpass not only the neighboring countries, but also many
developed ones, he added.
Despite the negative impact of the Corona pandemic on the world economy,
the President said as a result of the timely and courageous steps of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina, the government has been able to maintain the economic
growth on the expected track.
He said the government has announced 23 stimulus packages worth Taka 1 lakh
24 thousand crore to keep the wheels of economy rolling. Arrangements have
also been made to provide COVID-19 vaccine, he said, adding, that Bangladesh
ranks first in South Asia and 20th in the world in the ‘COVID Resilience
Ranking’ compiled by the US news agency Bloomberg for successful handling of
corona pandemic, economic revival and keeping the livelihoods running.
The President said Bangladesh recently received the recommendation from the
United Nations for her emergence from a least developed country to a
developing one. “It is a unique gift for the nation at the juncture of
‘Mujibbarsho’ and the ‘Golden Jubilee’ of our Independence. With the
continuation of development process, Bangladesh will turn into a developed
and prosperous country in the world by 2041, Insha Allah,” said the
President.
Despite being a densely populated country, Bangladesh has set a unique
example of humanity in the world by sheltering millions of Rohingyas who have
been tortured and forcibly deported from Myanmar, he said, adding that
Bangladesh believes in a peaceful solution to this problem.
The President called upon the United Nations and the international
community, including Myanmar, to take early and effective measures for
permanent solution to Rohingya problem.
In order to achieve the desired goal of Independence, people-oriented and
sustainable development, good governance, social justice, transparency and
accountability will have to be ensured, he said.
The national parliament will have to be turned into the centre of hopes and
aspirations of the people, he said, adding that the ruling party as well as
the opposition should play a constructive role in this regard in the
parliament.
He said Bangabandhu is the source of eternal inspiration for the Bengali
nation. The government has extended the period of ‘Mujib Barsho’ till
December 16, 2021 to celebrate the birth centenary of the Father of the
Nation grandiosely at home and abroad,” he added.
“On the eve of ‘Mujib Barsho’ and the Golden Jubilee of our Independence,
with the joint efforts of all, may our beloved motherland become a developed
country free from hunger and poverty,” the President hoped.
BSS/PR/TAN/ARS/1830 hrs