Home ›› 06 Mar 2022 ›› Front
Freedom fighters on Saturday vowed to resist conspiracy against the country, calling upon the countrymen to get united to uphold the spirit of liberation war. They said the prospect of the country will be bolstered and image brightened if the incumbent government came into power again in the next general elections.
They said the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had laid the cornerstone of development in his brief period which is being carried out now by his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. During the regime of BNP-Jamat, freedom fighters were demeaned, belittled, and deprived of state facilities. The lost glory of freedom fighters are now restored under the charismatic leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the freedom fighters added.
The memories of all freedom fighters will be retained and initiatives have been taken up to this end, according to Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque.
“All the graves of freedom fighters will be made of the same design, and measures have been taken so that the national heroes could be remembered even after hundred years,” he said.
The minister said this while addressing a programme titled “Dhaka West Freedom Fighters Reunion-2022” held in Manikganj on Saturday.
“The work of naming the road after the freedom fighters will be completed by December this year, and digital identity cards and certificates of freedom fighters will be issued from March 26 which will be completed on April 16,” he informed the event.
Around 5,000 freedom fighters and guests from Dhaka, Manikganj, Munshiganj, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Gazipur and the surrounding districts of the capital took part in the programme at Shaheed Miraj Tapan Stadium in Manikganj yesterday.
The day-long event was attended by a number of senior ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, several members of parliament, political leaders, businessmen and people of all strata from the nearest districts around Dhaka.
Marking the occasion, Unique Group Managing Director Mohd Noor Ali unveiled the cover of a research book titled “Joy Bangla” edited by him.
The identities of 2,700 freedom fighters in Dhaka West are included in the book, first of its kind in the country’s history. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal addressed the function as a special guest.
He mentioned that there were 19 attempts to assassinate Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Under her leadership Bangladesh is turning around. “Conspiracies are still underway abroad to erase the memory of the Liberation War. We will not forgive any miscreants or conspirators,” vowed the home boss.
Speaking at the programme Health Minister Zahid Maleque said, “Every house in the country has been connected with electricity because of the freedom fighters. The people of the country are at peace. Poverty has been eradicated.”
“Since you have fought, Sheikh Hasina has been able to take the healthcare system to a new level. The average life expectancy is now above 73.”
Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi (Bir Pratik) maintained that there was a time when freedom fighters had to hide their identities.
“We used to apply for jobs concealing our identity. The government led by Ziaur Rahman killed freedom fighters. Yet this force is working against the spirit of Liberation War. They must be resisted at any cost,” he said.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Private Sector Development Salman F Rahman said, “Joy Bangla has become our national slogan after going through many ups and downs. We had to fight for this. Joy Bangla is our real address. The country has become independent through this slogan.”
In his address, Unique Group Managing Director and freedom fighter Mohd Noor Ali, the lead organiser of the historic event, said, “We took part in the Liberation War after hearing Bangabandhu’s Joy Bangla slogan. Since we realised that Joy Bangla is our last resort, the country became independent due to the sacrifices of many heroic freedom fighters.”
“As a result, as long as I live, I will live with Joy Bangla in my heart.”
Awami League presidium member Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya explained that BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir claimed that Khaleda Zia was the first woman freedom fighter.
He drew the attention of the minister of Liberation War affairs and suggested forming a three-member committee to dig into the reality of Khaleda being the first woman freedom fighter.
Benazir Ahmed, lawmaker for Dhaka-20 constituency, was the convener of the day-long gathering.
State Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation Enamur Rahman, former minister Shahjahan Khan, Deputy Minister for Water Resources Enamul Haque Shamim, Manikganj Lawmaker Naimur Rahman Durjoy and Mamtaz Begum, former lawmaker Subid Ali Tipu and BMA president Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, among others, spoke at the programme. Manikganj district Awami League President Golam Mohiuddin and Sheikh Azhar were the co-organisers of the event.
At the beginning of the day-long event, Manikganj cultural group Shilpa Rath and Color Hill displayed their performance. In the second phase, cultural programmes were held, with several talented artists of Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra stealing the show.
