Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made a significant contribution to Bangladesh in so many ways that some of his initiatives, such as those in Cox’s Bazar, do not get the attention they deserve.
The Father of the Nation first visited Cox's Bazar in 1958 and his last visit was on January 10, 1975. Many people still hold fond memories of his visits.
Kalam Azad, a young writer from Cox's Bazar, in one of his books wrote: “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman visited Cox's Bazar 12 times before and after independence.
“Bangabandhu's role in the political and socio-economic development of Cox's Bazar is impeccable. The centenary of Bangabandhu's birth is passing away but no significant research has been done on Bangabandhu's contribution and political role in Cox's Bazar, not a single separate book has been written on the subject.
“It is high time to preserve the history of Bangabandhu's arrival and contribution to Cox's Bazar. If we are late, a lot of history may get lost. As a conscious resident of Cox's Bazar, as a citizen of Bangladesh, I started investigating Bangabandhu in Cox's Bazar out of my own urging and responsibility,” he added.
Tofayel Ahmed, a senior journalist from Cox's Bazar, said one of Bangabandhu’s major contributions to the coastal city was to instruct the Forest Department to plant palm trees on 100 acres of sand near the beach.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman goes sightseeing during his visit to Cox’s Bazar in 1969 | Collected“These trees have protected the coastal areas from countless cyclones and tidal waves, while also enhancing the beauty of the beach. Many local as well as foreign tourists visited Cox’s Bazar because of this,” he added.
Bangabandhu may have often been busy, but he also took time to enjoy the beauty of the beach when he could. During his visit to Cox’s Bazar in 1969, a candlelit dinner in his honour was held at the old Simon Hotel in the Baharchhara Jhautala area of Cox's Bazar city
Mahbubur Rahman, managing director (MD) of Cox's Bazar Simon Beach Resort, said: “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had dinner at Hotel Simon during his visit to Cox's Bazar in 1969 and enjoyed the beauty of the beach. My father Mosharof Hossain, former housing and public work minister, was with him at the time.”
Subsequently, Bangabandhu’s daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana also visited the hotel.
