golden jubilee of independence
BNP postponed Independence Day event to avoid embarrassment: Obaidul Quader
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader said that the BNP postponed its programme on the golden jubilee of independence as the party will face an embarrassing situation over some settled issues of history.
He said this at a discussion meeting organized by Dhaka Metropolitan North and South Awami League on Awami League party office, 23 Bangabandhu Avenue on the occasion of Genocide Day this morning.
He virtually attended the programme from his official residence while President of Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League presided over the programme.
Also read: BNP brings changes to Independence Day prog
Obaidul Quader also remarked that the decision to postpone the programme on the pretext of Corona taken by the BNP is ‘mysterious’.
On this day in 1971, at midnight, the barbaric Pakistani aggressors attacked the unarmed Bengalis all over the country including the capital Dhaka. Their main goal was to silence the Bengalis forever, he also said.
Quader informed that although various programs marking the 25th of March, the day of genocide is taken every year on the occasion of the day. Due to the coronavirus situation, the day is being celebrated on a limited scale this year.
Also read: Covid-19: BNP postpones Golden Jubilee progs until March 30
Awami League presidium member Jahangir Kabir Nanak, joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, Dr Dipu Moni, organizing secretary Mirza Azam, SM Kamal Hossain were present at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue.
Awami League North general secretary SM Mannan Kochi and South Awami League general secretary Md Humayun Kabir and other central and metropolitan leaders were present.
Don’t allow development and democratic progress to be disrupted: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged people to take a vow afresh not to allow anyone to hinder Bangladesh’s democratic and development progress by playing ducks and drakes with their fate.
“On this auspicious occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Independence, we’ve to vow afresh that no one can play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of Bangladesh. No one can hinder the country’s democratic and development progress,” she said.
The Prime Minister was addressing the nation on the eve of Independence Day 2021.
State-owned Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar simultaneously broadcast the Prime Minister’s speech at 7:30 pm on Thursday. Private television channels and radio stations also aired the speech.
The Prime Minister called upon people to work for building Bangladesh as a developed, prosperous and non-communal Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal) as dreamt by the Father of the Nation.
“Let’s build Bangladesh as a developed, prosperous and non-communal Sonar Bangla by forgetting all the differences and being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War,” she said.
Noting that the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Independence just should not be a formality, she said, “On the occasion of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation and the Golden Jubilee of Independence, we’ve to take vow afresh to take our country to a new height.”
Also read: Make a vow to implement Bangabandhu’s dreams: PM
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has achieved an unimaginable success in the socio-economic index as a result of her government’s tireless works over the past 12 years.
Last month, she said, Bangladesh received the final recommendation to graduate from the least developed country (LDC) group.
“Bangladesh has not only surpassed its neighbours in various indexes like life expectancy, gender equality, universal primary education, women education, women's political rights, women and child mortality, sanitation and food availability, but also exceeded many developed countries in many cases,” she said.
But the path of this development has not been smooth at all as the anti-liberation forces inside and outside the country carried out various ill-motivated activities to hinder the progress of Bangladesh. “This process still continues. So, we all will have to resist all the anti-state attempts by playing the role of vigilant watchdogs.”
Sheikh Hasina said passing half a century of independence is a significant milestone for the life of a nation.
“For us, this Golden Jubilee celebration has become more colorful as Bangladesh Awami League, forming the government, started running the government with the ideology of Liberation War. Today, Bangladesh has stood raising its head in the world as a proud country proving all the negative and pessimistic predictions against Bangladesh wrong, she said.
Even a decade ago, Sheikh Hasina said, Bangladesh was presented as an example of poverty. “But today development experts are presenting Bangladesh as a role model for poverty alleviation and development.”
Also read: Develop the habit of reading: PM Hasina
Presenting the current picture of several socio-economic indicators compared to the 2005-06 fiscal year, she said the per capita income increased to US$ 2,064 now from just US$ 543, while the poverty rate dropped to 20.5 percent from 41.5 percent, the GDP size rose to Tk 2800,000 crore from only Tk 482,337 crore, and the foreign currency reserve to US$ 44 billion from only US$ 0.744 billion during the period.
She said the budget size has increased to Tk 568,000 crore in the current fiscal year from only Tk 61,000 crore in 2005-06 fiscal year, while the average life expectancy to 72.6 years in 2019-20 fiscal from 59 years in 2005-06 fiscal, the infant mortality rate has come down to 28 from 84 per thousand, the maternal mortality rate to 165 from 370 per lakh and the power generation capacity has increased to 24,421 megawatt from 4,900 megawatt. “Today's achievement is, in fact, the achievement of the common people of this country,” she added.
She said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had declared the Independence of Bangladesh in the early hours of March 26, 1971 just before he was arrested by Pakistani army. His announcement spread across the country through the wireless of the then EPR, she said.
The independence of Bangladesh had come as the result of the 24-year continuous political struggle. And Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had led from the front in this struggle from the beginning to the end, said Sheikh Hasina, also the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu.
Also read: PM Hasina leads from front in battle against pandemic: Envoy
“Today, we’re proud citizens of independent and sovereign Bangladesh thanks to the birth of that great man named Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib. Today, we’re proud of our own country, language and culture because he was born,” said the PM.
Sheikh Mujib is the creator of a country and a state. “So, we’re celebrating his birth centenary and the golden jubilee of independence simultaneously,” she said.
On the eve of the Independence Day, the PM extended her sincere greetings to all the citizens of Bangladesh living at home and abroad.
Sheikh Hasina thanked the people of Bangladesh for keeping Bangladesh Awami League, the political party that led the Liberation War, in power while celebrating these two important milestones in the national life.
BNP brings changes to Independence Day prog
BNP on Thursday brought changes to its programmes to celebrate the 50th Independence Day on Friday due to the worsening Covid situation and different restrictions imposed by the government.
As part of the changed programmes, the party will hoist national and party flags atop its all offices, including Nayapaltan central one, in the morning.
Also read: Covid-19: BNP postpones Golden Jubilee progs until March 30
The senior leaders of Dhaka district unit BNP, on behalf of the party, will pay tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing a wreath at the National Mausoleum, Savar at 8:30am.
Later, BNP standing committee members will place a wreath at the mazar of their party founder Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Banglanagar in the capital at 11:30am to mark the day.
The party will also hold a virtual discussion at 3pm, said a press release.
It urged the party leaders and activists to hoist national and party flags atop its all offices across the country and place wreaths at the National Mausoleum maintaining health safety rules.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 3-month high 34 deaths; 3,587 fresh cases
Earlier on February 24, the party announced that BNP standing committee members will place wreaths at National Memorial in Savar.
The party also had a plan to take out a rally at Nayapaltan in the afternoon and arrange some other programmes, including discussion and blood donation programmes.
In the wake of a fresh spike in coronavirus transmission, BNP on Wednesday postponed its all the programs chalked out to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of independence until March 30.
Also read: BNP launches year-long Golden Jubilee programmes
City traffic to be regulated from March 26 to 27: DMP
Traffic on various important and main roads of the capital will be controlled and remain closed for some time on March 26 and 27, the Traffic Department of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said on Wednesday.
It said the step has been taken to facilitate the movement of invited foreign guests and the VVIPs on the occasion of Bangabandhu's birth centenary and Golden Jubilee of Independence.
Meanwhile, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Srilankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering have already joined the celebration of the two mega events.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Bangladesh on March 26 to attend the twin celebrations of Mujib Borsho and the golden jubilee of Bangladesh's independence.
He will also visit Bangabandhu Memorial in Tungipara, Matua community in Kashiani, and a temple in Satkhira on March 27 before holding a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Covid-19: BNP postpones Golden Jubilee progs until March 30
In the wake of a fresh spike in coronavirus transmission, BNP on Wednesday postponed its all the programmes chalked out to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of independence until March 30.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, also the convener of the party's national committee on celebrating the Golden Jubilee, came up with the announcement at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
“The Covid-19 situation in the country has now taken a dangerous turn. The number of coronavirus infections and deaths is surging seriously throughout this week,” he said.
The BNP leader said the risk of transmission of the virus has increased through welcoming foreign guests and holding various programmes.
Also read: BNP launches year-long Golden Jubilee programmes
“Considering the overall corona situation in the country and giving importance to the protection of public health and people’s worry about the rise in corona infection, BNP's Golden Jubilee programmes have been postponed till March 30.”
He said they will reschedule their programmes taken to mark the Golden Jubilee and implement those if the Covid situation improves.
Speaking at the press conference, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said as a responsible political party, BNP thinks all meetings and rallies should be postponed immediately due to the severity of corona transmission.
Also read: Bangladesh begins birth centenary, golden jubilee of independence celebrations
He urged all of their party leaders and activists across the country to wear masks and maintain safe physical distancing and health safety rules. “You please don't put yourself in danger by going to the crowded places and mass gatherings.”
Fakhrul also called upon the party leaders and workers to encourage people to abide by the health hygiene rules.
Earlier on February 24, BNP announced a 19-day programme for the month of March to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence.
As part of the programmes, the party had plans to bring out a Golden Jubilee rally in the capital on March 26 and hold a grand rally on March 30 at Suhrawardy Udyan.
Also read: Bangladesh reports new high of 3,567 Corona cases; 25 more die
Fakhrul urged the government to take immediate steps to slow down the corona transmission by postponing all the state programmes. “We’re calling upon the government to stop all programmes and events by giving focus on Covid preventive measures,” he said.
The BNP leader alleged that the government has failed to involve people with the Golden Jubilee celebration programmes. “They’re holding various events in the name of the Golden Jubilee only to appease their foreign masters.”
I'm here to hear Bangladesh story sitting next to Hasina: Bhutanese PM
Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering on Wednesday said he is here in Bangladesh to listen to the story of Bangladesh sitting next to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, an inspiring leader and a mother like figure.
"I’ve come here to listen to the story of Bangladesh, that too seated next to Her Excellency Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, an inspiring leader and a mother-like figure to me," he said.
Exactly 50 years ago, the Bhutanese Prime Minister said a nation was born amid strife and turbulence, and it went on to make a remarkable progress.
While Bangladesh shares its story of success with the world, Bhutan as the first country to recognise its independence, joins the celebration.
Besides the Golden Jubilee of its Independence, Bangladesh also marks the birth centenary of the person behind it -- Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Also read: PM Hasina welcomes her Bhutanese counterpart Dr Tshering at Dhaka airport
Conveying warm greetings and prayers of the King and the people of Bhutan, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering, during the event held at National Parade Ground in Dhaka, said it was always a delight to return to Bangladesh, but the reason this time was even more compelling.
Govt celebrating Golden Jubilee without people: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday alleged that the government is celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Independence keeping people and freedom fighters “away”.
“The government is celebrating the Golden Jubilee without people as it’s become isolated from them. The freedom fighters have no place in the government's Golden Jubilee celebration programmes. Even, political parties have no presence there,” he said
Also read:It's 'cruel mockery' with the nation, Fakhrul about election
The BNP leader said only foreign guests are coming to Bangladesh to celebrate the Golden Jubilee and they are being told and shown that the country is on the crest of development.
Fakhrul made the remarks while talking to reporters after visiting BNP joint secretary general Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel at Holy Family Hospital in the city. Shoel has been receiving treatment at the hospital as he was injured during a clash with police in front of the Jatiya Press Club on February 28.
He said their party must welcome the foreign friends and heads of governments of five countries to Golden Jubilee celebrations.
But the BNP leader voiced anger as the government has “restricted” them from holding the programmes their party has taken to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Independence on the “pretext of foreign guests’ presence. People's movement is also being obstructed.”
Also read:Media being regulated with various laws: Fakhrul
The BNP leader questioned the purpose of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to Bangladesh.
“Is the Indian Prime Minister coming here to celebrate the Golden Jubilee, or is he coming to carry out a campaign for the West Bengal Assembly elections? We’re getting such an indication from Indian newspapers and our local newspapers,” he observed.
Referring to media reports, Fakhrul said the main purpose of his visit is to see the temples of their followers as part of a move to appease the voters in West Bengal.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on March 26 on a two-day visit to join the celebrations of 50 years of Bangladesh’s independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
He is also scheduled to visit Bangabandhu Memorial in Tungipara and Orakandi, a sacred shrine of the Matua community in Gopalganj, and another temple in Sathkhira.
Fakhrul said their party has long been saying the unsettled issues, including a fair share of the waters of common rivers and border killing, should be resolved to improve further the bilateral ties with India. “It should also be clear to people about what we’re gaining from increasing the connectivity.”
The BNP leader said their party thinks border killings should be stopped immediately as it is an inhuman act. “The government cannot solve this problem though it says it has a very strong friendship with India.”
Also read: AL succeeded in 'depoliticisation' process: Fakhrul
He said the government has given India the share of water of the Feni River unilaterally, though it has failed to sign any deal over the sharing of water of the Teesta River. “A bridge is also being built for connectivity. But there’s no solution to our basic problems.”
Fakhrul said their party still hopes that the government will solve the problems of the country’s millions of people by presenting their demands in the right way.”
Aiming to utilise neighbouring leaders’ visits towards better connectivity, relations: FM
Bangladesh is looking for better connectivity and expansion in relations with the five neighbours whose heads of government are visiting the country to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Webinar emphasises effective govt-NGO collaboration
Speakers at a webinar on Sunday underscored the needs for effective collaboration between the government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for the sake of sustainable development.
Rajapaksa for sharing development experience between Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
Visiting Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday emphasized sharing of development experiences between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for the socio-economic development of the two countries.