Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the inspiring “joy Bangla” (May Bangladesh be victorious) slogan was derived from the writings of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
She said: “Bangabandhu took the very Joy Bangla slogan, which has widely been used during our liberation war, from Nazrul's writing.”
The PM made the comment while addressing a programme marking the 116th birth anniversary of the rebel poet at the Comilla Town Hall on Monday afternoon.
Sheikh Hasina said Nazrul wrote against discrimination between rich and poor, and against women.
“Nazrul showed us the way, and the Bangali were liberated through a political struggle according to that path,” the prime minister said.
Referring to the essence of Nazrul's works, the PM expressed her frustration over the three-month-long blockade, resulting in daily arson and vandalism, starting on January 5 in the name of a movement by the BNP-led 20-party alliance.
Development projects in Comilla
While visiting Comilla, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of a number of development projects, including the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) of Comilla EPZ at the Town Hall square.
Hasina inaugurated Comilla Bibir Bazar Land Port Road, Chowddagram Zila Parishad Dakbungalow, a hostel for the blind, Laksam upazila fisheries building and training centre, a mural containing the history and heritage of Comilla at Comilla Press Club, a bridge built over the Kathalia River in Meghna upazila, another bridge built over the Pararband River in the Meghna upazila, the newly built Chowddagram thana building and Mainamati Medical College.
She also laid the foundation stones of a railway overpass at Shasangachha in Comilla town, fire service and civil defence station at Burichang upazila, modernisation of Comilla district unit building of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE), Comilla district unit office of BSTI, repair and renovation of the house of renowned musician Sachin Dev Barman, human concern international school for autistic children, Bangabandhu Law College Building, Poyalgachha technical school under Borura and Comilla district Muktijoddha complex building.