Bangabandhu’s sole concern was people’s welfare: MA Mannan

The sole concern of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was people’s welfare and though he was not an economist, his deep understanding of the reality made him a visionary leader, said Planning Minister MA Mannan.

Speaking at a webinar as the chief guest the minister also said, “In his March 7 speech, by the word ‘freedom’, Bangabandhu meant freedom of the people, economy, and society. He meant to ensure the five basic needs for the nation. Article 15 of the constitution emphasises planned economic growth.”

Eastern Bank Limited (EBL) organised the webinar titled “Development vision of Bangabandhu” as part of observance of the National Mourning Day recently.

Earlier in his inaugural speech Ali Reza Iftekhar, Managing Director and CEO of EBL paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and all other martyrs of August 15, 1975 and of the liberation war.

”Bangabandhu’s attractive personality, deep patriotism, political wisdom, self-sacrifice, visionary leadership and the unique ability to unite the entire nation under a single umbrella made him the key figure of Bangladesh’s history”, Iftekhar said.

“We can translate his dreams into reality only by achieving economic freedom and establishing equal rights for all, ensuring good governance and participation of all the people in national development”, he concluded.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said, “Bangabandhu’s development vision came from a mixture of all his experiences: his early life, his struggle to establish self-rule for Bengalis, his journey of leading the nation to liberation, and his active engagement with mass people made him the people’s leader.”

“Bangabandhu wanted to ensure food security and employment for all. The first five-year plan was totally scientific. Whatever we are doing now, Bangabandhu in his 3.5 years tenure, laid the foundation for it,” he added.