Bangladesh has now become an emerging economy to the world with a wonderful role model and potential for development. During our great War of Liberation we took shelter in neighboring India as refugees. Now Bangladesh is becoming a source of shelter, food and livelihood for the Rohingya refugees. Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was awarded the title of ‘Mother of Humanity’ by the world media for giving shelter to Rohingyas. The way in which the present government under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina has played an effective role against hunger and poverty and brought economic liberation to the people is astonishing. The government has succeeded in eradicating poverty from the country. As a result, social inequality, including begging, has been greatly reduced in our country. All the villages of rural Bangladesh are being arranged with all the facilities in the style of a city.
Standing on the golden jubilee of independence, this Bangladesh has many achievements, there are many challenges. The young society of the country played the most significant role in the Liberation War. They fought shoulder to shoulder and formed ‘Mujib Bahini’ and destroyed one plan after another of the invading forces. Glorious victory was achieved by them. This hard-won victory is therefore our existence, the motivation to move forward. There is no chance to disregard the great Liberation War. Let that spirit and patriotism spread among the present generation. Our victory will be successful only on the day when the youth of the present generation will use the spirit of the war of liberation to put a smile on the faces of 160 million people of Bengal. On that day there will be no corruption, no starvation and no uneducated people. Above all, in order to reap the full benefits of freedom, we must unite and work relentlessly.
A similarity can be found between the spirit of the youth during the Liberation War and today’s youth. Today’s youth may not have taken part in the great Liberation War. But it is constantly nurturing the spirit of Liberation War. That’s the way it works. Today, if an anti-state force rises up somewhere, it is the youth who are the first to resist. They are spreading the respect of this country in different ways in foreign lands. However, it cannot be denied that a large section of the country’s young population is still living in despair. We hope that the country will be free from the scourge of unemployment. The role of the youth in the progress of the country has always been very important. Young people have always been thunderbolts to speak out against injustice, to bring justice to the oppressed, and even to uphold their rights. Freedom has given us the opportunity to survive as a nation of self-respect. All the citizens of the country should be determined and strong in the belief of peace, progress and prosperity.
By laying the last span under the brave leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina, the dream of the nation has been partly fulfilled. This bridge took place in the history of the world by astonishing the world leaders and the people of the world. The Padma Bridge of dreams finally stood up. The World Bank withdrew from financing the construction of the bridge due to allegations of corruption. At the same time, a few more donors also moved away. From the very beginning, domestic and foreign vested interests were involved to overcome the conspiracies. Leaving behind so many obstacles, Bangabandhu’s daughter took the initiative to build the bridge with her own funds. We have more room to be proud overall. We have to move forward in those places, we have to do more. We have to introduce a fair and developed political culture, which will have an impact on the society and economy. A new generation will build a prosperous Bangladesh and the golden Bengal of Bangabandhu’s dream with the glory of the War of Liberation. In the golden jubilee, we must pledge to ensure education, food, clothing, medical care and housing for all the people of the country.
The post-Corona world situation will also be vandalized, change will come. Any major event sheds new light on the world of human thought. The Coronavirus showed people how helpless they were still. The human race has not yet reached the point where it can be proud of its civilization. All many discoveries, so many improvements and so much power boastings are quite helpless to corona virus. All these have been proved impotent and useless to corona pandemic. Therefore, the human race has to find a way out of this stalemate more deeply. Thinkers and statesmen have to sit with patience, speed, sprit and power of accommodation challenge. Our Prime Minister is very keen and meritorious. Under her able leadership, the continuity of development will be more dynamic and vibrant. If we are sincere, honest, pay 100% cordial and coordinated efforts, engage and devote to sustainable development goals, the country may attain the objectives and occupy a prestigious position after 100 years of its independence. The Diamond Jubilee of Independent Bangladesh in 2071 will be celebrated with immense potentialities and higher expectations.
(Dr. Forqan is former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh Ansar & VDP).
