Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) commemorated Bangabandhu's birth centenary by publishing two volumes of a "Readings in Bangladesh Development" on Wednesday.
The book has been edited by KAS Murshid, Minhaj Mahmud and Kazi Iqbal.
At the virtual launching, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Chairman Professor Rehman Sobhan was the chief guest while BIDS Director General Dr KAS Murshid presided over the function.
In these volumes, the articles included are compiled of research carried out by BIDS researchers from 1972 to 2020 on many critical aspects of development, and thus outlines a development journey that will inform, inspire, and hopefully encourage further explorations in our contemporary economic history.
Chairman of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad pointed out Bangabandhu's personal characteristics as a leader, socialist and patriot and how should the next generation cherish and follow these qualities.
Research Director of BIDS Dr Binayak Sen reviewed these two volumes keeping in mind the progress of development of Bangladesh through these 50 years.
Economic Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Mashiur Rahman and International Relation Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Professor Dr Gowher Rizvi also took part in the webinar.
'Readings in Bangladesh Development'
These commemorative volumes were conceived as a dedication to the memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman whose birth centenary is being nationally celebrated.
It is BIDS' contribution to these celebrations. "These volumes are an apt tribute to our national hero who has inspired the struggle for an independent Bangladesh through his sacrifice, vision, and courage," BIDS said in a statement.
Bangabandhu dreamt of a free, equitable and prosperous Bangladesh, and even during the brief period that he was in power before being assassinated on 15 August 1975, he was able to put in place the basic structure of governance and broad policy directions that would admirably serve the country on its development journey.
BIDS said that in dedicating these volumes to the memory of Bangabandhu, they not only recognise his wisdom and leadership but also acknowledge that the history of the last 50 years in every field, would have been different, had he not been present.
BIDS brought together some of the most brilliant minds to create the ultimate intellectual tribute to Bangabandhu that it could offer. Volume 1 begins with the post-liberation period and extends up to the year 2000 consisting of a total of 25 articles contributed by BIDS' first generation of scholars.
Although the articles are presented in a chronological order these are best introduced under broad topical categories so that complementarities and synergies can be better appreciated, BIDS said. The selected papers focus on food, agriculture, rural development, manufacturing industry, population studies, migration, and domestic and external resource management.
Volume 2 continues with the year 2000 and ends in 2020. The topics covered are highly relevant to Bangladesh's development transformation.
Bangladesh's performance over the years was steady and sustained, regularly notching up an additional percentage point to the GDP growth rate in each successive decade since the 1980s.
While the selected papers focus on the micro evidence related to the drivers of Bangladesh's development, they also highlight the importance of good governance as well as issues such as political instability, urbanisation, and climate change related risks for the country, BIDS said.
