The historic 7th March, marking the epoch-making speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman calling upon the Bangalees to prepare for the war to liberate Bangladesh from the exploitative Pakistani regime, will be observed on Friday.
‘Ebarer Sangram Amader Muktir Sangram, Ebarer Sangram Swadhinatar Sangram’ (this struggle is for our freedom, this struggle is for independence), Bangabandhu declared from a mammoth rally at the historic Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) on this day in 1971.In his speech, compared with US President Abraham Lincoln’s historic Gettysburg speech, Bangabandhu said, “Since we have learnt to give blood, we’ll give more blood. We’ll definitely liberate the country, Insha Allah… Turn every house into a fort and counter [the enemy] with whatever you have.”
He called for waging guerilla warfare against the tyranny, deprivation, exploitation and savagery of the Pakistani dictators. The dynamic speech had virtually changed the course of the country’s glorious history.
People of all ages and backgrounds rose in revolt against the Pakistani hyaenas and their local collaborators and waged guerrilla warfare. Different social-political organisations, including Awami League, have chalked out elaborated programmes to mark the day.
The ruling party programmes include hoisting national and party flags atop the Bangabandhu Bhaban and party offices at 6:30am and placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Bangabandhu Bhaban premises at 7am.
Besides, the party will hold a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan at 3pm where Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will speak as the chief guest.
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion.
In his message, the President said the momentous speech of the father of the nation would remain a perennial source of inspiration for the nation.
“Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered the address before millions of people ignoring red eyes of the then Pakistani junta. The address of March 7 was the charter of freedom of the Bangalees,” he said.
He also urged all to continue the efforts to remove hunger, poverty, illiteracy and superstition from the society to materialise the Bangabandhu’s dream to build a ‘Sonar Bangla’.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for achieving the desired goals altogether to implement the ‘Vision-2021’ and ‘Vision-2041’. – UNB
