Bangladesh President Mohammad Abdul Hamid extends his heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to his fellow countrymen living at home and abroad.
He has the following message to mark Bangladesh’s Independence Day:
“Today is March 26, the Independence Day of Bangladesh.
“On this historic day, I remember with profound respect the architect of our independent Bangladesh, Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“I pay my deep homage to the millions of martyrs who made supreme sacrifices in the War of Liberation.
“I also recall with deep reverence our four national leaders, valiant freedom fighters, organisers, supporters, our foreign friends and people from all walks of life who made immense contributions to attain our right to self-determination and the war of liberation.
“Today, Bangladesh is moving towards the highway of development at a tremendous pace.
“We have achieved enormous success in various areas of socio-economic development including poverty alleviation, education, health, human resources development, women empowerment, reduction of child and maternal mortality rates, elimination of gender discrimination and increase in average life expectancy.
“The construction of the Padma Bridge is also going on in full-swing by our own resources and the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is underway.
“Bangladesh has been able to surpass not only the neighbouring countries of South Asia but also many developed countries in terms of various indicators of socio-economic development.
“We are dreaming of a developed Bangladesh by the year 2041.
“Initiative has been taken to frame the ‘Second Perspective Plan’ spanning from 2021 to 2041 in this regard.
“The Delta Plan 2100 has been formulated in order to achieve the status of a prosperous and developed country combating the long-term challenges for sustainable water, climate, environment and land system.
“With the continuation of the development process, Bangladesh will raise its position high in the world as a prosperous country by 2041, Inshallah.
“In pursuing our diplomatic objectives, the government has been consistent in upholding the principle of ‘Friendship to all, malice towards none’ as enunciated by the Father of the Nation.
“Our achievement in the international arena, including the establishment of world peace, is also commendable.
“Our expatriate Bangladeshis have also been making significant contributions to our national economy by sending their hard-earned remittances.
“Bangabandhu is the source of eternal inspiration for the Bangali nation.
“This year, the government has declared ‘Mujib Year’ to celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu in a befitting manner.
“Being imbued with the spirit of the liberation war let it be the pledge in ‘Mujib Year’ to turn our country into ‘Sonar Bangla’ by completing the unfinished tasks of Bangabandhu.
“The golden jubilee of our independence will be observed in 2021 with great enthusiasm.
“Bangladesh will enter into a new chapter – a new horizon.
“With the concerted efforts of all, let our beloved motherland be a poverty-free developed one; it is my expectation on Independence Day. “Khoda Hafez, may Bangladesh live forever.”