DHAKA, May 16, 2019 (BSS) – President M Abdul Hamid today felicitated
Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on her 39th
“Homecoming Day” and praised her contribution to country’s democracy,
development and public welfare through epoch-making programmes.
“The country is moving towards tremendous development due to pro-people
welfare activities and the far-sighted leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina,” the President told in a message on the eve of the day, when she
(Hasina) returned to her motherland Bangladesh 38 years back, on May 17,
1981, after six years in exile.
President Hamid said it was a milestone to resume the journey of democracy
in Bangladesh which smoothed the path to establish spirit of Liberation War,
values of Independence and democracy.
The President said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
and most of his family members were assassinated by anti liberation forces on
the fateful night of August 15, 1975.
During that period, Bangabandhu’s two daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh
Rehana who were visiting West Germany, escaped but could not return to the
country, he mentioned.
Abdul Hamid said they had to spend life in a very adverse situation in
exile in London and Delhi for 6 years keeping the grief of losing parents,
brothers and other relatives in heart.
The President said Sheikh Hasina was elected president of Bangladesh Awami
League unanimously in her absence at the national council of the party on
February 14-16 in 1981.
“It was a far-sighted decision of the then Bangladesh Awami League
leaders,” Abdul Hamid, a veteran politician and parliamentarian, observed.
Recalling her homecoming day on May 17, 1981, President Hamid said
thousands of people thronged to the then Dhaka International Airport to
welcome Sheikh Hasina amid inclement weather.
He said Sheikh Hasina, after coming to her motherland, initiated movement
to restore democracy in the country and in the process victory of democracy
was achieved and autocracy overthrown through mass-movement of 90’s.
The President said Bangladesh Awami League achieved landslide victory in
the general election on June 12, 1996 and formed the government under the
leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
He said during that tenure, Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord was signed
to stop the long conflicts between ethnic groups and Bangalees and Ganges
Water Sharing Treaty was signed with neighboring India.
Under her (Sheikh Hasina) leadership, 14-party alliance came to power on
December 29, 2008 general election and took different initiatives for the
welfare of people, he added.
He said verdict of the trial of Bangabandhu assassination case was
executed while the country got worldwide appreciations for various reasons
including establishing democracy and human rights, development in
agriculture, health, women empowerment, electricity, information technology,
rural infrastructure and overseas employment.
The President said Awami League led alliance came to power again on
January 4, 2014 national election and completed execution of the war
criminals trial, established legitimate rights in maritime boundary with
Myanmar and settlement of longstanding enclave problems with India for the
sake of the country and its people.
He said the alliance under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina created history
by coming to power on December 30, 2018 national election for the third
consecutive term.
Abdul Hamid highly appreciated the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project. He
described the launching of country’s first satellite Bangabandhu-I in the
space as milestone progress of the present government.
He said Sheikh Hasina has taken ‘Vision 2021’ and ‘Vision 2041’ programmes
to turn the country into a happy and prosperous Sonar Bangla.
The President said the programmes undertaken by Sheikh Hasina for
development of the country and establishing democracy will remain everlasting
in the history of Bangladesh.
President Abdul Hamid wished her and her family members long life,
prosperity and continuous success of her government.