Agriculture Minister Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque on Saturday said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's homecoming on May 17, 1981 paved the way to reinstate the spirit of the Liberation War, restoring democracy and bringing the country back to its track of development.
"The country is appearing in the global arena as a role model of development, which would have been impossible if Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had not returned to the country in 1981. Following Bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina has given social, cultural and economic freedom to the people of the country," he said.
The minister was addressing a discussion titled “Your homecoming gave us back Bangabandhu's vision of development and philosophy of peace,” organized by Bangabandhu Parishad at the National Press Club to mark Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Homecoming Day.
Presided over by Dhaka University's former vice chancellor and Bangabandhu Parishad acting president Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, the program was also addressed, among others, by prime minister's former information affairs advisor senior journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, noted writer and historian Muntasir Mamun, and Bangabandhu Parishad General Secretary Prof ABM Faruk.
Razzaque said Bangabandhu's homecoming was very significant for his contribution to all areas including the economy, roads, per capita income and constitution.
And Sheikh Hasina's homecoming was similarly significant as she has taken the country to the position which has been a dream for the people for years, he added.
If the development spree of the country continues at the same speed, the country will be a developed one even at least 4-5 years before the deadline, 2041, he said, adding: "Sheikh Hasina's magical development proved a number of diplomats and economist's wrong who had predicted that the country would not be able to run after independence."
Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said as soon as Sheikh Hasina returned to the country, the spirit of the Liberation War came back which had been in the dark for years.
On May 17, 1981, the day Sheikh Hasina returned, Joy Bangla slogans were heard for the first time in Dhaka, which had not been heard since 1975, said Professor Arefin.
In her first speech, Sheikh Hasina said: "I have come to free you from autocratic military rule, not to become Awami League president." Since then, wherever she has been, she has been working relentlessly for the prosperity and development of the people of this country holding the spirit of the great Liberation War," said Prof Arefin.
Recalling some historical events, he said Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to the present state and brought the country to such a prestigious position by overcoming various ups and downs, and a number of obstacles.
Prof Arefin, also chairman of the board of directors of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), called upon everyone to be united and keep supporting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina holding the spirit of Liberation War.
In the discussion, noted writer and historian Muntasir Mamun said: "When Sheikh Hasina returned to the country, I was pretty sure that the wheel of the Liberation War would continue to run again even though she was not involved in politics."
Sheikh Hasina reinstated the spirit of the Liberation War and brought the country back on its track which was destroyed after the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 by anti-Liberation war forces, he added.