DHAKA, May 20, 2023 (BSS) - Agriculture Minister Dr M Abdur Razzak today said
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's homecoming on May 17, 1981 paved the way to
reinstating the spirit of Liberation War, restoring democracy as well as
bringing the country back to its track of development.
"The country appeared in the global arena as a role model of development
which would have been impossible if Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did not
return to the country in 1981. Following Bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina has given
social, cultural and economic freedom to the people of the country," he said.
The minister was addressing a discussion titled 'Your homecoming has given us
back Bangabandhu's vision of development and philosophy of peace', organised
by Bangabandhu Parishad at Jatiya press club today marking Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina's Homecoming Day.
Presided over by Dhaka University former Vice-Chancellor (VC) and Bangabandhu
Parishad acting President Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, the programme was
also addressed,among others, by Prime Minister's former Information Affairs
Advisor Senior journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, noted writer and historian
Muntasir Mamun and Bangabandhu Parishad General Secretary Professor ABM
Faruk.
Abdur Razzak said Bangabandhu's homecoming is very significant for his
contribution to all areas including the country's economy, roads, per capita
income and constitution. And Sheikh Hasina's homecoming is similarly
significant as she has taken the country to the position which has been a
dream for the people for year, he added.
If the development spree of the country continue in the same speed, the
country would be a developed country even by at least 4-5 years before the
targeted deadline '2041', he said, adding: "Sheikh Hasina's magical
development prove a number of diplomats and economist's wrong who predicted
the country will not be able to run after independence."
Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said as soon as Sheikh Hasina returned to the
country, the spirit of the Liberation War came back which was in dark for
years.
On May 17, 1981, the day Sheikh Hasina returned, the 'Jay Bangla' slogans
were heard for the first time in the capital city Dhaka, which had not been
heard since 1975, said Professor Arefin.
On her first speech, Sheikh Hasina said, "I have come to free you from
autocratic military rule, not to become Awami League president." Since then,
wherever she was, she has always been working relentlessly for the prosperity
and development of the people of this country holding the spirit of the great
Liberation War," said Prof Arefin.
Recalling some historical events, he said Bangabandhu's daughter Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina came to the present state and brought the country to
such a prestigious position through overcoming various ups and downs, and
number of obstacles.
Prof Arefin, also chairman of the board of directors of Bangladesh Sangbad
Sangstha (BSS), called upon everyone to be united and keep supporting the
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina holding the spirit of Liberation War.
In the discussion, noted writer and historian Muntasir Mamun said, "When
Sheikh Hasina returned to the country, I was pretty sure that the wheel of
the liberation war will continue to run again even though she was not
involved in politics."
Sheikh Hasina reinstated the spirit of Liberation War and brought the country
back to its track which was destroyed after the assassination of Father of
the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 by anti Liberation war
forces, he added.
Teachers, researchers, journalists and different socio-cultural personnel
took part in the discussion.
