History could never be erased: HPM Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said UNESCO acknowledgment of Bangabandhu's 7th March speech as a world heritage proved the history could never be erased while she sought nation's vigilance to keep upheld the nation's pride.

"The UNESCO recognition clearly manifested that none can erase the history of the Bengali nation. The recognition has honoured every Bengalis -- the freedom fighters, family members of the martyrs," she said addressing a civic rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, the scene of the historic address 46 years ago.

The premier said the glorified address had appeared as the pathfinder for Bengali nation's freedom and emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation while she urged the people to remain careful so none can lower nation's head in future as desperate efforts were made in the past to do so.

Tens of thousands of people joined the rally to celebrate UNESCO recognition of the speech as a "world documentary heritage" and pay glowing tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Only 18 days after the historic event the Father of the Nation gave the declaration of the Independence.

Professor Emeritus Dr Anisuzzaman was in the chair while Professor Emeritus Dr. Rafiqul Islam and celebrated writer and academic Professor Jafar Iqbal attended the as special guests the function, also joined by different political party leaders like Hassanul Haq Inu, Kader Siddiqui and Barrister Nazmul Huda along with veteran Awami Leaguers.

UNESCO Country Representative in Dhaka Beatrice Kaldun, journalist Golam Sarwar and 1971 martyred intellectual Dr Aleem Chowdhury's wife Shyamoli Nasrin Chowdhury, also spoke on the occasion.

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport Minister Obaidul Kader read out a letter of the vote of thanks to Director General of the UNESCO for the recognition. Noted singer Momtaj, Shahin Samad and Sajid Akbor enthrall the audience with Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Getti, patriotic and folk songs while a troupe of Shilpakala Academy artistes performed the national anthem to begin the function.

Poet Nirmalendu Goon recited his poem 'Swadhinata ei shabdati kibhabe amadeer holo' while Asaduzzaman Noor recited the poem 'Parichoy" of Syed Shamsul Haque.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on October 30, 2017 announced inclusion of Bangabandhu's historic March 7 speech in the Memory of the World International Register.

Sheikh Hasina recalled with regret the desperate attempts to make forbidden the Bangabandhu's historic speech in a bid to distort the history after his assassination while people played the speech more and more upsetting the plotters move making it the highest played speech by any world leader.

"Don't they feel ashamed after the UNESCO recognition . . . the UNESCO declaration is not merely recognition, but revenge against the forces," she said.

She added: "The UNESCO declaration is not merely recognition, but revenge against the forces which are hatching conspiracy for a long time against the nation's history and independence.

The premier urged people to remain vigil to prevent the reemergence of "Pakistani ghosts and their bootlickers" to distort the history again.

The premier said the 7th March address was an extempore speech that had depicted the 24 years of Pakistani oppression and simultaneously contained all necessary directives what people should do for independence.

She revisited her personal memories related to the speech saying as it was set that Bangabandhu would deliver a crucial public address, several proposals including written ones were placed before him, many even advising him to outright declare the independence.

"My mother, who never was involved in direct politics, told him (Bangabandhu) that many people would suggest many things, but you must follow your mind (conscience)," Sheikh Hasina said recalling her presence during the conversation at Bangabandhu's home before he proceeded to the then race Course Maidan. Sheikh Hasina said after Bangabandhu's killing people of Bangladesh have no access to real history of the nation and new generation was deprived of knowing the glorious history of the Liberation War.

Sheikh Hasina said by now it became a proven fact that the country can prosper if pro-liberation forces remain in power as the people of Bangladesh have got the real taste of development when the Awami League assumed power after 21 years.

The Prime Minister said the rulers of post-1975 period made Bangladesh a nation of beggars "but now the situation has been changed" as Bangladesh implements 98 percent of its annual budget with own resources.

She said the Father of the Nation wanted to establish the political rights of the people aimed at achieving the economic emancipation and allow them to enjoy the freedom of culture and heritage.

"Bangabandhu aspired for a hunger and poverty free nation. Inshalla, we will be able to make Bangladesh a prosperous nation as dreamt by the Father of the Nation,".Sheikh Hasina said.

She urged all to take the oath to build a country with the spirit of the Liberation War saying "Bangladesh will go ahead and by 2021 Bangladesh would be a middle-income country and by 2041 it would be a developed one".

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol