On the occasion of 26 March, the Independence and National Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to my fellow countrymen living at home and abroad.

On this historic day, I remember with profound respect the architect of our independent Bangladesh, the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On the fateful night of March 25, 1971, the invading forces of Pakistan suddenly attacked the unarmed Bangalees. In the early hours of March 26, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman officially declared the Independence of Bangladesh. We achieved an independent and sovereign Bangladesh through a nine-month long Liberation War under the able leadership of Bangabandhu. I recall with deep respect the millions of martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the War of Liberation and that we achieved our Independence for their supreme sacrifice. I recall with deep reverence our Four National Leaders, heroic 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.

Bangabandhu always cherished a dream of building a happy and prosperous country along with attaining political emancipation. The present government has been rendering untiring efforts in materializing the dream of Bangabandhu. Today, Bangladesh is moving towards the highway of development at an inexorable pace. We have 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. Rate of poverty has been dropped. Per capita income has tripled over the past decade. On the occasion of ‘Mujibbarsho’ a huge number of landless and homeless people are being rehabilitated, which has created a new stream in the whole world in the concept of poverty alleviation of the rootless and helpless people. The Padma Bridge, being constructed by our own resources, will be opened for traffic this year. Works of Metro Rail, Payra Deep Sea Port, Karnafuli Tunnel, Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's Third Terminal and Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant are also progressing uninterruptedly. Bangladesh has already elevated from a least developed country to a developing country. With the continuation of development process, Bangladesh will turn into a developed and prosperous country in the world by 2041, Insha Allah.

Despite the negative impact of the Corona pandemic on the world economy, due to the timely and courageous steps taken by Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the government has been able to maintain the economic growth by countering the effects of Corona. The economy has turned around as a result of various socio-economic and investment projects, programs and initiatives taken by the government to ensure sustainable and inclusive development. Huge amount of remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis has made an important contribution to keep the wheel of the economy rolling during this time. Adequate number of vaccines has been arranged for all to deal with corona. In the coming days, the government as well as all should take necessary precautions to prevent corona infection.

The government has been consistent in upholding our foreign policy “Friendship to all, malice towards none” as enunciated by the Father of the Nation. Our achievement in the international arena, including the establishment of world peace, is also commendable. 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. In Bhasanchar, accommodation has been provided with all kinds of facilities for the Rohingyas. Bangladesh believes in a peaceful solution to this problem. I call upon the United Nations and the international community, including Myanmar, to take early and effective measures for permanent solution to this problem.
In order to achieve the desired goal of Independence, we must ensure people-oriented and sustainable development, good governance, social justice, transparency and accountability. Forbearance, human rights and rule of law have to be consolidated for institutionalizing democracy. It is our sacred duty to ensure a safe, happy, beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh for the new generation. By assassinating Bangabandhu on 15 August 1975, anti-liberation forces tried to erase his policy, ideology as well as to stop the trend of development and progress of the country forever. But the Bengali is a nation of heroes. Nothing could suppress the Bangalees. Bangabandhu has become a great conqueror at the cost of his life. Death has not dissipated him but has made him brighter and more glorious in the minds of Bangalees. It is our obligation to make the new and future generation understand that the way they are treading forward today is paved by our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.The path shown by him will be the step of development and progress in the future as well.
With the joint efforts of all, may our beloved motherland become a developed country free from hunger and poverty  this is my expectation on the great Independence Day.

Joi Bangla.
Khoda Hafez, May Bangladesh Live Forever.  
                                       

(Md. Abdul Hamid)