Awami League (AL), one of the country’s oldest political parties, celebrated its 70th founding anniversary in a befitting manner, with a commitment of building a hunger- and poverty-free ‘Golden Bangladesh,’ as envisioned by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
After paying homage to Bangabandhu to commemorate the occasion yesterday, party president, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said: “Bangladesh has been firmly marching towards development since Awami League formed the government."
Forty-eight years ago, the nation had the dream for freedom, and Awami League was the party to lead it on road to freedom, she said.
To celebrate the day, all units of Awami League and its affiliated organizations chalked out several programmes.
In the morning, all units of the party hoisted the national, and party flags atop the party offices across the country.
The party president placed a floral wreath at the portrait of the Father of Nation at Dhanmondi road no 32 in the morning.
The prime minister stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of our independence.
Since its founding on June 23, 1949, at the historic Rose Garden in the old part of Dhaka, the party played a leading role in all democratic movements. It also led the nation in the War of Liberation in 1971 under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
'Awami League taking Bangladesh forward'
Sheikh Hasina said her party has been leading Bangladesh towards development, and prosperity.
“Bangladesh has been marching towards socio-economic development after the Awami League came to power,” she said.
The nation lost its dignity after the assassination of Bangabandhu on August 15 in 1975, she said.
The premier also said, Awami League brought the whole Bangladesh under the leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led the party to be elected in the 1970 elections, and the first sun of independent Bangladesh rose on April 10, and April 17 at the Amrakanon of Meherpur in 1971.
Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman continued: “We achieved our independence through the sacrifice of three million martyrs. The country was freed from the occupational forces on December 16, 1971, when the Pakistani forces surrendered to the allied forces.”
Bangabandhu was assassinated on August 15, 1975, while the four national leaders – Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Captain M Mansur Ali, and AHM Qamruzzaman – were killed inside the Dhaka Central Jail on November 3, the same year.
Sheikh Hasina said the country is moving forward, and has attained back its glory that was lost through the killing of the Father of the Nation.
A delegation from the Awami League Central Working Committee, led by presidium member Lt Col (retd) Muhammad Faruq Khan, placed wreaths at 11am at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at his birthplace in Tungipara of Gopalganj.
The party also paid homage to all of its founding leaders, including Bhashani, Shamsul Hoque, and Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy, among others.
Along with the central committee's program in the capital, the party's district, upazila, and city units also organized discussions, seminars, and essay competitions, and brought out colorful processions marking the day.
Apart from these, Awami League will arrange a discussion chaired by its President Sheikh Hasina, which will be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) today. A cultural function will also take place at the party’s central office tomorrow.
Month long programs will be held across the country to celebrate its 70th founding anniversary.
Awami League General Secretary, and Roads, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader called upon party units across the country, and their associates to observe the founding anniversary of the party in a befitting manner.
