On December 16, 1971, a nation was born out of strife and sacrifice. We emerged victorious in a war against an oppressive regime hell-bent on destroying our very identity. And now, more than five decades since that day, Bangladesh now stands sovereign and more prosperous than ever.
As a nation, not only did we attain victory in a war against an oppressive occupational force but also over crippling starvation and numerous other hardships which followed soon after -- needless to say, overcoming struggle is all but part of our national identity. As is sacrifice -- we cannot forget the immeasurable sacrifices made by the mukti bahini, a ragtag group of guerrilla fighters who chose to fight for their families and their people and attained martyrdom all in the name of liberation.
That spirit has followed us ever since.
Not limited to the refuge that we continue to give to over a million Rohingya, who fled persecution from their homeland at the hands of a murderous government. Despite our nation’s nascence and state of development, Bangladesh still chose to open her doors to these poor souls not only because of the sense of camaraderie we share, but simply because it was the right thing to do.
Bangladesh stood victorious over one of the biggest global pandemics that humanity had ever faced while more prosperous nations were yielding lives in the millions. Our handling of Covid-19 was definitive proof that, when it comes to protecting ourselves, cooperation and consideration towards neighbours were above all.
Yes, Bangladeshis are, once again, thrust in the middle of political instability with very little in the way of compromise being made from any of the sides. Which is why our political leaders must understand that putting the safety of their own people in danger is no way of getting any message across: There is nothing to be won by engaging in acts of arson or indeed showing an unwillingness to listen. Such conduct entirely undermines the strife and sacrifice which was made during our bloody war for liberation.
Now more than ever, we need to look to all the values which our nation has been built upon by our founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as we build Bangladesh’s future.
Democracy, secularism, and equality -- ideals codified not only within our constitution but in the hearts of every Bangladeshi, and it was only through unwavering dedication to these ideals that we managed to grab hold of our right to self determination and rise victorious as a sovereign nation.
Today is December 16. Today is the day we won.
