President Abdul Hamid on Thursday said responsibilty for developing the country does not lie only with the political leadership.
“The development of the country and the people is not the sole responsibility of the political leadership. As citizens of an independent country, this is the responsibility and duty of all of us,” he said.
He made the remarks at the inaugural ceremony of a two-day special programme on the theme ‘The Greatest Hero of the Glorious Victory’ as a mark of respect to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The National Implementation Committee for the celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman oragsnised the programme on the Golden Jubilee of the Victory.
Hamid delivered his speech as the chief guest in the programme while Indian President Ram Nath Kovind was present as the Guest of Honour at the the South Plaza of Bangladesh National Parliament in the evening.
Hamid said that the time has come to reconcile the extent to which *we have achieved our dream of independence under the leadership of Bangabandhu.
Mentioning freedom as a human right, Hamid said that freedom only makes sense if it can be exercised properly without limiting the acquisition of rights.
He said abuse of power undermines freedom.
The President asked everyone to fulfill one’s responsibilities from their respective positions with honesty, devotion and sincerity.
Hamid thanked Indian president for visiting Dhaka to attend the historic celebrations of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence,
He said that India is the closest neighbor and a trusted friend of Bangladesh.
He also recalled with deep appreciation the unstinting moral and material support that the political leaders and people of India extended to Bangladesh during our War of Liberation and remembered the heroes of Indian Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives in our great Liberation War with profound respect.
President Hamid said that the relationship between the two countries, which started in 1971 during the War of Liberation, has now reached a new height.
Hamid hoped that Kovind’s visit will further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries.
He also hoped that the world community, including India, will play an effective role in resolving the Rohingya issue.
Prime Minister and daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Hasina presided over the ceremony.
Another daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Rehana presented ‘The Eternal Mujib’ memento to the Guest of Honour while the commemorative volumes on the Father of the Nation were unveiled during the programme.
Alongside, Chief Co-coordinator of the National Implementation Committee Dr. Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury delivered the welcome address while Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq also delivered their speeches.
Earlier in the day President Hamid inspected the national parade and took salute on the occasion while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnessed the parade.
At dawn the President paid homage to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War by placing wreath at the National Memorial in Savar.
Source: United News of Bangladesh