Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith yesterday said he was thinking about retirement considering his age.
“At this age, it has become very necessary to call it quits. I feel very lucky that I am still in service even at the age of 83 but still it is important that I retire,” he said while speaking at the Independence Festival 2016, organised by Muktijuddho Academy at the National Museum auditorium in the capital.
The festival was organised to express gratitude towards the first 45 countries that recognised Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971.
“It is our birthday today. We were born at midnight. Lots of memories of what happened on that night come to my mind. We fought for democracy against oppressors,” Muhith said. “Like many other nations, we got help from different countries, including India, during our war of liberation.”
The finance minister described 1971 as one of the most glorious times of his life.
“There was a counter-revolution in the country in 1975 that lasted for 16 years until 1991. It was in 1991 when we actually became free because of the counter-revolution. It was the time when changes began to occur in our national life.
“I am glad that I got an opportunity to play a role in making changes happen. Serving the country is a matter of great joy and happiness, and this feeling is what enables me to walk at this old age. This is the best that I have achieved,” added Muhith.
Yesterday’s event started with the playing of the national anthem. Later, national anthems of 43 nations that recognised Bangladesh during and immediately after the war were played as a mark of gratitude.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Harsh Vardhan Shringla and some other representatives from Bhutan, Nepal and Russia addressed the event.
Dr Sharif Ashrafuzzaman, adviser of Muktijuddho Academy, read out the letter of gratitude on the occasion.