Are the poor enjoying benefits dreamt by Bangabandhu?

Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :

In the presence of millions of freedom-loving people, the great leader Sheikh Mujib announced with a thunderous voice, ‘Once blood is given, I will give more blood.

I will free the people of this country, God willing’.

Bangabandhu’s such strong declaration gave the Bengali nation the direction of independence.

Bangladesh became free in the month of December, 1971 through a liberation struggle by the inspiration of Sheikh Mujib.

Bangabandhu returned to the country after independence and said to the people, ‘Today we have to self-criticize.

Today, order should be restored in the country.

Otherwise, the country’s independence cannot be protected.

Bangabandhu said, ‘People of Bangladesh are very good.

There are no people like the people of Bengal anywhere in the world.

All the noise and inactivity in Bengal is only of the so-called educated society.

They are at the root of everything.’ He said, ‘We have to stand against corruption-bribery, smuggling, profiteering. We have to struggle.

Our nation must be united.

With the soul of the Bengali nation, the inspiration with which freedom was fought; we have to move forward with that soul, that inspiration, that ideal, that doctrine.

We have to draft our constitution keeping four pillars in front where human rights will be written.

So that in the future no one can play with the lives of the people and stand steadily in front of the people of the civilized countries of the world relying on this constitution.

The aim of politics in Bangladesh will be to achieve the welfare of the common people.

Do not put oil on the oiled head. The rural economy should be given the most importance. Bangabandhu also said, “We will do more work in the village”.

He emphasized on power, roads and employment by starting infrastructure development and made it clear in the development strategy paper.

Sheikh Mujib formulated and followed the much desired independent and neutral foreign policy of the country.

Bangladesh moved to the Non-Aligned Summit as soon as it became independent.

China, despite being an enemy of Bangladesh’s independence, extended its hand of friendship towards Beijing.

In the Middle East, Sheikh Mujibur’s policy of reaching out to allies, known as T-diplomacy.

He did not take any steps to further antagonize the US Nixon-Kissinger administration even though it was a country negative support.

The alliance he forged with India’s Indira Sarkar was legendary.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib has left a historical example of how a small country can protect its self-esteem, independence and sovereignty while being surrounded on three sides by a big and powerful neighbor and establish friendly relations with the big country on the basis of equal status.

With a word from his mouth, the Indian army left the soil of Bengal before it was only three months of its birth.

In different national and international conferences, Bangabandhu highlighted a number of problems, including the growing disparity between the rich and poor countries and the need for action to reverse that trend.

In that context, he expressed his expectation that the developed countries of the Commonwealth would lead the way in undertaking necessary structural adjustments in their domestic economies with a view to enabling poor countries to attain economic growth on the basis of their comparative advantage.

He further said, “The same principle of ‘equal opportunity’ must be extended to the developing countries in the context of the international economy.

What is needed to achieve this is political will; what is needed is recognition by the rich countries of their responsibility towards the poorer countries.

We recognize that disparities between the poor and the rich countries cannot be eliminated overnight or indeed for a long time to come, but what is imperative is that the international community should recognise the responsibility of ensuring a critical minimum rate of growth of between 6 to 7 per cent per annum in the poor countries.

“After 52 years of its independents, Bangladesh has graduated to a developing country from a less developed country.

Bangladesh is one of the top 10 countries in the world in GDP ranking. But it is concerning that most assets are being treasured up by few people.

Majority people are deprived of getting development facilities, what is violation of fundamental rights.

Anti- Social activities are generated among the youth and they indulge in nonsense breaking the norms and values of society.

Many of the political leaders are exploiting and harassing the people by abusing the power.

This creates anarchy and environment of intolerance in society.

Even many untoward incidents happen which are violate on of human rights, civilization and culture.

However, time has come for all the people in the country to combat violence against women.

There is no strong alternative to social protection.

People have to be made aware that the complex issue of women’s right is connected to human right in the complex socio-cultural, political and economic culture of Bangladesh.

To conclude, it seems the best way to reduce violence is to improve security for ordinary citizens, promote freedom of expression and tolerance of competing views in all spheres, pass laws that make discriminatory intent behind a crime heavily punishable, and above all cultivate strong nationalistic pride and love for the country that once was earned by the promise of sanctity of life and liberty for all.

Sheikh Mujib, the father of the nation, is the torchbearer of peace,prosperity and piousness.

We must follow his teachings, idealsand philosophy of life. He was awarded with “Julio Curie worldpeace Medal”.

It was the recognition of this great man towardshumanity, struggle against imperialism and expansionists.

Toestablish peace and tranquility, we must follow the long cherisheddesire, leadership and worldwide relationship of the father of thenation.

Sheikh Mujib was a great visionary and mission orientedleader.

His greatness and personality as a man must be honoredout and out by all Bengalese irrespective of caste, creed andreligion.

If we carry forward the ideals and dreams of Bangabandhu, we could be able to achieve a real nation with itsdignity to other world.

So it is our responsibility to implementevery dream of the father of the nation.

Only then, our countrywill achieve its sustainable development goal within the targeted time.

(The writer is former Deputy Director General, BangladeshAnsar & VDP).