Prime Minister pays tribute to the nation's independence war martyrs

Today is March 26, the great Independence and National Day. At the very first hour on this day in 1971, the greatest Bangalee for a thousand years, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed the independence of Bangladesh. Under his undaunted leadership, the independence of our beloved motherland, Bangladesh, was achieved through a nine-month bloody war and the supreme sacrifices of 3 million martyrs, the agonies of 200,000 women and the sufferings of millions of people.

On this memorable day, I pay my deep respect to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the War of Liberation. I recall with deep gratitude the greatest hero of our national freedom struggle - the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. I pay tributes to the four national leaders and the valiant freedom fighters.

I recall with deep gratitude those who lost their near and dear ones, who were subject to inhuman torture and repression, and the freedom-seeking people who brought about an independent and sovereign Bangladesh. I also recall the overt and covert support and cooperation of the friendly foreign countries and their citizens in attaining our long-cherished independence.

On the occasion of the great Independence and National Day, I convey my best wishes and congratulations to my countrymen as well as all Bangalees living abroad.

On the eve of the Independence Day, I call upon all of my countrymen to remain alert against the concerted evil activities of the anti-liberation, communal, autocratic and identified reactionary forces. The anti-liberation forces are still desperate to shed blood. As in the past, they are still engaged in plotting designs and hatching conspiracies to obstruct the national progress and advancement. I urge everyone to be united to resist their evil acts.

The Independence earned through the bloody war is the noblest achievement in our national history. The spirit of the Liberation War should be spread everywhere to make this glorious achievement meaningful and sustainable. Equally important, we must ensure justice, good-governance and a higher living standard for our people. To achieve this objective, we have to work with the highest sincerity and honesty and be imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War and with true patriotism.

Our government is committed to establishing the values of the Liberation War and fulfilling our election pledges. We are also committed to building "Golden Bengal", free from poverty, hunger and illiteracy as dreamt by Bangabandhu. Retaining the true history of the War of Liberation in our hearts, we would have to go ahead to achieve the objective of "change" through building a Bangladesh free from corruption, mal-governance, terrorism, hunger and poverty.

I am looking forward to seeing that the spirit of the great Independence and National Day is reflected in our all activities.

Joi Bangla, Joi Bangabandhu.

May Bangladesh Live Forever!

(China Daily 03/26/2009 page10)