Bangladesh President Mohammad Abdul Hamid has extended his heartfelt Independence Day greetings and warm felicitations to his fellow countrymen.
“On this day, I remember with profound respect the architect of our independent Bangladesh, the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“On the fateful night of March 25, 1971, the invading forces of Pakistan suddenly attacked unarmed Bangalees.
“In the early hours of March 26, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman officially declared the Independence of Bangladesh.
“We achieved an independent and sovereign Bangladesh through a nine-month long Liberation War under the able leadership of Bangabandhu.
“I recall with deep reverence our Four National Leaders, heroic freedom-fighters, organisers, supporters, foreign friends and people from all walks of life who made contributions to attain our right to self-determination and freedom movement.
“Bangabandhu always cherished a dream of building a happy and prosperous country along with attaining political emancipation.
“The present government has been rendering untiring efforts in materialising the dream of Bangabandhu.
“Today, Bangladesh is moving towards the highway of development at an inexorable pace.
“We have achieved enormous success in various areas of socio-economic development including poverty alleviation, education, health, human resource development, women empowerment, reduction of child and maternal mortality rates, elimination of gender discrimination and increase in average life expectancy.
“Rate of poverty has dropped whereas per capita income has increased and a huge number of landless and homeless people are being rehabilitated.
“Bangladesh has already elevated from a least developed country to a developing country.
“With the continuation of development process, Bangladesh will turn into a developed, smart and prosperous country in the world by 2041.
“The government has been able to maintain the economic growth for timely and courageous steps taken by Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina despite the world economy facing negative impact due to Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.
“The economy has turned around as a result of various socio-economic and investment projects, programmes and initiatives taken by the government to ensure sustainable and inclusive development.
“Huge amount of remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis has made an important contribution to keeping the wheel of the economy rolling during this time.
“The government has been consistent in upholding our foreign policy “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.
“Despite being a densely populated country, Bangladesh has set a unique example of humility in the world by sheltering millions of Rohingyas who have been tortured and forcibly deported.
“To speed up the progress of the country, let the nation embrace the spirit of the liberation war and ideals of the Father of the Nation, moving forward on the path of building ‘Golden Bangla’ dreamt by Bangabandhu – this is my expectation for the great Independence Day.”