Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
2-day exhibition marking Sheikh Hasina’s homecoming begins in city
A two-day exhibition on information and news clipping marking the homecoming of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina began on Sunday on the premises of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi.
AL’s information and research affairs sub-committee arranged the exhibition titled "Sheikh Hasina's Four Decades: Irresistible Progress of Changed Bangladesh".
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader joined the inaugural programme as chief guest virtually while the party’s Advisory Council member Dr Mashiur Rahman presided over the meeting.
On May 17, 1981, Sheikh Hasina returned to the country after a long exile following the 1975 assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members.
Mentioning Sheikh Hasina as a popular political and development leader, Quader said the nation has come to know the true history of the Liberation War thanks to her.
Also read: Nation freed from stigma with Hasina’s homecoming: Quader
He said the verdicts in Bangabandhu's murder case and war crimes trials have been executed because of Sheikh Hasina.
Quader noted that there had been peaceful resolution of border and enclave issues and the maritime dispute thanks to the Prime Minister. He said Bangladesh got the fair share of Ganges water thanks to her and hoped that other outstanding issues would also be resolved.
The Awami League leader said the construction of Padma Bridge with domestic funds is almost complete only because Sheikh Hasina returned home. Besides, works of other mega projects, especially Metrorail and Bangabandhu Tunnel, are ongoing.
Quader said Bangladesh has become a member of the exclusive club of satellite-owning countries led by Bangabandhu's daughter Hasina.
He said Bangladesh today is moving ahead of Pakistan in all socio-economic indicators except nuclear bomb under her leadership.
Quader termed the prime minister as the most successful, brave and humane statesman in post-75 Bangladesh and said Sheikh Hasina is the name of the most successful diplomat.
Also read: Sheikh Hasina's Homecoming Day observed
He said Sheikh Hasina has been able to keep the country at a stable level even during the coronavirus pandemic keeping in mind the life and livelihood of the people.
The Awami League leader said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has turned Bangladesh into a food-surplus country.
Organising Secretary Afzal Hossain, Information and Research Affairs Secretary Dr Selim Mahmud, Office Secretary Barrister Biplob Barua and other leaders of the Awami League's Information and Research Subcommittee were also present at Dhanmondi No. 32.
On the other hand, Dhaka City North unit of the party will arrange a discussion at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue at 11am on May 17 while its Dhaka City South unit will arrange a doa mahfil and discussion at Mahanagar Natyamancha at 3pm on that day marking the homecoming day.
'Project rolled out to make March 7 venue a wonder to behold'
The government has rolled out a project to make Suhrawardy Udyan – where Bangabandhu had delivered his landmark March 7 speech and Pakistani occupation forces surrendered on December 16 – a wonder to behold.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said this Saturday during a press briefing at his official residence.
Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, called on everyone not to worry about the project "as the government remains alert about the environmental concerns and is going ahead with a realistic plan."
Also read: The fight to save Dhaka's 'oxygen bank'
Also, M Habibul Islam, project director of Shawdhinata Stambha (Independence Monument) construction project (Phase III) at the Suhrawardy Udyan, said in the evening: "The government has given priority to saving trees and not felling any tree unnecessarily while implementing the mega plan at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan. At least one thousand trees will be planted in the coming rainy season."
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina approved a mega plan in 2017. The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and the Ministry of Housing and Public Works are jointly implementing the development project worth Tk265.44 crore. The project kicked off on January 1, 2018 with the deadline of June 2022.
Under the project, the places of the historic March 7 Speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the places where the Pakistani occupation army surrendered and other historical events of the Liberation War took place will be preserved.
BGMEA leaders led by Faruque Hassan pay homage to Bangabandhu
The BGMEA Board led by its President Faruque Hassan paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at the portrait of the great leader in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at the capital's Dhanmondi on Saturday.
The BGMEA leaders showed their profound respect to the memory of the architect of the nation's independence.
Bangladesh has risen to the odds to come close to becoming a middle-income country and is progressing every day, BGMEA said.
Artwork on Bangabandhu, Filipino National Hero unveiled in Manila
Bangladesh Embassy in Manila has handed over a commemorative artwork on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Filipino National Hero Dr Jose Rizal as a permanent showpiece to the Jose Rizal Museum which is dedicated to the Filipino National Hero Dr Jose Rizal at his ancestral house in the district of Calamba.
The artwork was unveiled and handed over on Wednesday as part of the birth centenary celebration of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Also read:Bangabandhu an iconic statesman and hero: Indian HC
The woodcarving was done by Filipino artist Nicolas P. Aca Jr. who was highly inspired by these two great leaders who fought against colonial powers for emancipation of their motherlands and gave their lives for their people.
The work reflects engraved portraits of the two leaders with a red line flowing in the background symbolizing the supreme sacrifices they made for their people.
The handing-over ceremony was conducted with a restricted audience as per the local health protocols. In the handing-over ceremony Curetor and officials of the Museum, Calamba Mayor’s Office, Cultural Affairs Office, Tourism Office, Cultural Heritage & Historical Society, Philippine Information Agency and the Historic Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) were present, among others.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines Asad Alam Siam elaborated the life and philosophy of the Father of Nation including how he guided his people to freedom.
He also said that two great leaders resonate the same chords of history, in two separate lands, in two separate times, by dreaming and leading their people’s liberation from oppression.
He thanked the NHCP and the museum for accepting the gift and hoped that it would appeal to the visitors to discover the similar journey of two people and the two leaders.
Also read:Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition inaugurated in ...
The Curator of the Museum Zarah Escueta thanked the Embassy for making the Rizal museum a partner in the celebration of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh and said that his life and work would inspire all the visitors of the museum and they would be more interested in his life and ideals.
She also mentioned that the life and philosophy of Bangabandhu make him an icon of global peace and freedom.
With the handing-over ceremony, it begins a two-month long exhibition in the museum which will display the artwork along with other exhibits on life and work of the Father of the Nation including his memoir, life sketch, historical photos, and books on him.
Thereafter, the work would go to the museum’s permanent collection as a gift from this Embassy.
Mujibnagar embodies pride of Bangalee nation in its struggle for freedom: Envoy
Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam has said Mujibnagar embodies the pride of the Bangalee nation in the struggle for freedom from the occupational forces.
He paid deep tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, three million martyrs and two lakh tortured mothers and sisters.
The Ambassador, while addressing a discussion meeting, said Bangladesh earned liberation not only by sacrifice but also by valor of the freedom fighters.
Also read: Historic Mujibnagar Day observed in Seoul
Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC observed the historic Mujibnagar Day on Saturday with due solemnity and respect.
To mark the day, the Embassy organised the discussion meeting at Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Chancery in the morning.
Messages issued by President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Mujibnagar Day were read out.
A documentary titled “Mujibnagar Sarker” was screened at the event.
Also read: Mujibnagar govt played historic role in freedom struggle of Bangladesh: Envoy
A special prayer was offered, seeking divine blessings and salvation of the departed souls of Bangabandhu, four national leaders, and all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the liberation war as well as for peace and progress of Bangladesh.
Later, Ambassador Shahidul Islam, along with the diplomats working in the Embassy, placed a floral wreath at the bust of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Historic Mujibnagar Day observed in Seoul
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Seoul on Saturday observed the historic Mujibnagar Day with due solemnity and fervor.
The event was attended by the officials of the Embassy at virtual platform.
The day’s programme commenced with the reading out of the verses from the Holy Scriptures.
A special prayer was offered for the salvation of the martyrs of the Liberation War and also for the peace and prosperity of the country.
The Embassy officers then read out the messages of the President and Prime Minister. A documentary on the background and significance of the Mujibnagar Government was also screened in the programme.
Also read: Mujibnagar govt played historic role in freedom struggle of Bangladesh: Envoy
In the discussion session, the discussants highlighted the immense contribution of the Mujibnagar Government, headed by the greatest Bangali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in absentia, in achieving the much-coveted independence through conducting the War of Independence and maintaining close and strong relations with the international community.
Mujibnagar govt played historic role in freedom struggle of Bangladesh: Envoy
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran on Friday highlighted the significance of the historic Mujibnagar Day that falls on April 17 and said the Mujibnagar government played a historic role in the freedom struggle of Bangladesh.
"As an independent nation, we’re forever indebted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the greatest Bengali nation of all time," he said.
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi observed the day in advance on Friday with due dignity.
To mark the Day, the High Commission organised a discussion meeting at Bangabandhu Hall of the Chancery in the afternoon with the High Commissioner in chair.
Also read: Historic Mujibnagar Day to be observed Saturday
High Commissioner Imran paid tributes to Bangabandhu, the greatest Bengali of all times, the four national leaders, Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain Mansur Ali and AHM Kamruzzaman.
Historic Mujibnagar Day to be observed Saturday
The historic Mujibnagar Day will be observed on Saturday, marking the oath-taking ceremony of the country’s first government on April 17, 1971, which led the Bangladesh War of Liberation.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion.
In his message, the President said the first government of the independent and sovereign Bangladesh formally took oath at a mango orchard in the erstwhile Baidyanathtala under Meherpur district on April 17, 1971.
With the formation of the Mujibnagar government, a constitutional government started its journey under the leadership of public representatives elected in the 1970 election to conduct the Liberation War, he said.
“On the Mujibnagar Day, I call upon the people of the country to perform their respective duties properly in building the country, being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War,” said President Hamid.
The President hoped that the present generation would be able to know the real history of the Liberation War and contribute towards building ‘Sonar Bangla’ dreamt by Bangabandhu.
Also read: Mujibnagar govt played historic role in freedom struggle of Bangladesh: Envoy
In a separate message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the April 17 is the historic Mujibnagar Day, which is a memorable day in the life of Bengali nation as the first provisional government of independent Bangladesh took oath at a mango orchard in Baidyanathtala under erstwhile Meherpur Mahakuma on the same day in 1971.
On the occasion of the 50 years of the Mujibnagar Day, the PM urged all to uphold the country’s independence that was earned in exchange for the supreme sacrifices of 30 lakh martyrs and the dignity of two lakh women.
Country needs more energy for development: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said the government wants to develop the country and for that reason it needs more energy.
“We want the development of our country. That’s why we need energy,” she said while visiting Special US Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry called on her at her official residence.
PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim later briefed reporters.
He said the Prime Minister mentioned that as the source of clean energy, Bangladesh put emphasis on producing more energy from hydroelectric power plants.
“We’ve only one hydroelectric power generation plant. Now we’re in discussion with Nepal, Bhutan and India to set up hydroelectric plants through bilateral or trilateral initiatives on regional basis,” she said.
She also said that there are around 5.8 million solar connectivity in the country.
Also read: Make no mistake; take action: Kerry on dealing with climate crisis together
“Agriculture sector also needs solar energy for irrigation,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina deeply appreciated the decision of the US to return to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
“This’ll create new momentum in climate change diplomacy,” she said.
FM calls for stronger global partnership to effectively tackle COVID-19
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday called for stronger global partnership and cooperation to effectively deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.
"All countries need to work together. It's essential to have stronger partnership and cooperation among countries to face COVID-19 situation," he said as the chief guest at the 5th episode of Bangabandhu Lecture Series held virtually marking birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Dr Momen said people across the world need to get vaccinated to make the world free from coronavirus. "All countries need to work together to ensure equal access to vaccine," he said.
Also read: Dhaka seeks greater int'l solidarity, cooperation to tackle COVID-19 challenges
Former UN Under Secretary General Ambassador Anwarul K Chowdhury delivered keynote speech on the "Birth of Bangladesh and Its Inspirational Legacy in Global Diplomacy".
The Foreign Minister said they want to establish peace in the world in a sustainable way. Bangabandhu firmly believed that peace is a must for development and laid emphasis on peace and stability throughout his life.
"Bangabandhu and Bangladesh are inseparable," he said, noting that Bangabandhu had turned into a global leader by highlighting the problems faced by the oppressed people in the world. He said Bangabandhu ensured religious harmony in the society.
Also read: Coronavirus & Agenda 2030: Dhaka seeks meaningful global partnership
The Foreign Minister said all young diplomats need to read the speeches of Bangladesh’s founding father.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen spoke as special guest.
Diplomats stationed in Dhaka, Bangladesh envoys abroad, senior journalists and intellectuals joined the programme.