DHAKA, March 7, 2019 (BSS) – The nation is observing the historic March
7 in a befitting manner commemorating the landmark speech by Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman which was touted as indirect declaration of the
country’s independence in 1971.
Different socio-cultural and political organizations, student and
professional bodies chalked out elaborate programmes including laying wreaths
at the portrait of Bangabandhu and holding discussions and rallies to mark
the day.
The ruling Awami League hoisted national and party flags atop the
Bangabandhu Bhaban and party offices, and party leaders and workers have
placed wreaths at Bangabandhu’s portrait on the Bangabandhu Bhaban premises
at Dhanmondi this morning.
A discussion will be arranged at the Bangabandhu International
Conference Centre (BICC) auditorium at 3pm today.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will chair the
discussion while party leaders and distinguished personalities will address
it.
Department of Films and Publications screened a documentary film on the
7th March speech followed by a discussion this morning on the premises of the
department.
Awami League and associated bodies are also organizing rallies
highlighting the significance of the day in all wards, unions, pourasabhas,
upazilas and districts as the Bangabandhu’s March 7 speech is being played
with loud speaker.
The Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private
television channels and radio stations are broadcasting special programmes
while national dailies brought out special supplements marking the auspicious
occasion.
On Wednesday, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,
in separate messages, paid rich tributes to the greatest Bangalee of all
times Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
They recalled that Bangabandhu in his historic March 7 speech at a
mammoth rally in the then ‘Race Course Maidan’, now Suhrawardy Udyan, in the
city directed the freedom-loving Bangalees for waging a decisive struggle
against the Pakistani occupation forces.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the
countrymen to work together to make Bangladesh a middle income country by
2021 and a developed nation by 2041 to build a Sonar Bangla as dreamt by
Bangabandhu.
“Ebarer sangram amader muktir sangram, ebarer sangram swadhinatar sangram
[The struggle this time is a struggle for emancipation, the struggle this
time is a struggle for independence]”, Bangabandhu had declared in a
thunderous voice at the rally.
“Turn every house into a fortress, resist the enemy with everything you
have … Having mastered the lesson of sacrifice, we shall give more blood.
God willing [Inshallah], we shall free the people of this land,” Bangabandhu
also said in his speech.
The speech inspired the Bangalees to prepare for a war of independence.
The Liberation War began 18 days later, when the Pakistan Army launched
“Operation Searchlight” against unarmed Bangalee civilians, intellectuals,
students, politicians, and armed personnel.
On October 30 in 2017, the UNESCO recognised the historic speech as part
of the world’s documentary heritage.
It has been included in the Memory of the World International Register,
a list of world’s important documentary heritage maintained by the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).