Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today paid glowing tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking his 103rd birth anniversary and the National Children's Day.
""On the occasion of the 103rd birth anniversary of the greatest Bangalee of all time, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, I pay my deepest respect to his (Bangabandhu's) memory," the premier said in a message on the eve of the day.
Besides, on the occasion of the 'National Children's Day-2023', she extended her best wishes to all the children of the country and the countrymen.
"I think this year's National Children's Day theme - 'Bangabandhu's birthday in the dream of a smart Bangladesh, children's eyes colored in the dream of prosperity (Smart Bangladesh er Shopney Bangabandhur Jonmodin, Shishuder Chokh Sommriddhir Shopney Rongin) ' is timely," she added.
Recalling the memories of Bangabandhu, the premier said that the main goal of the long political life of this world-renowned leader with a keen memory and far-sightedness was to liberate the Bengali nation from the chains of subjugation.
Gradually, he became the last refuge of the oppressed people of Bengal, she said, adding that this Bengali, the best of a thousand years, led the fight to establish the status of the Bengali language.
In 1948, 'Rashtra Bhasha Sangram Parishad' was formed under his proposal with the help of Chhatra League, 'Tamaddun Majlis' and other student organizations, she said.
On March 11 in 1948, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib was arrested during holding a 'Sadharan Dharmakhat' demanding the recognition of Bengali as the state language, she said, adding that he was repeatedly imprisoned from 1948 to 1952.
Sometimes from jail and sometimes from outside the jail, he led the language movement, Sheikh Hasina said.
In the final movement of people-students on February 21, 1952, he gave guidance from prison, she mentioned.
In continuation of this, the Jukto Front elections of 1954, Ayub Khan's anti-military rule movement of 1958, the anti-Education Commission movement of 1962, the six-point of 1966, the Agartala conspiracy case of 1968, the '69's Mass uprising', the elections of '70 and the War of Liberation of '71 were conducted under the undisputed leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, the premier continued.
Noting that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib's compassion for children was immense, she said he believed that the children of today are the future of tomorrow.
She went on saying that the children will build the golden Bangladesh of his dream.
From the idea 'Children's future must be ensured first', he formulated the Children's Act in 1974, 15 years before the United Nations Children's Charter (The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child), she said.
The premier further said that Bangabandhu nationalized the primary education to ensure development of child-education.
"Bangabandhu always wanted children to grow up as creative and free-spirited ones. That is why Awami League (AL) formed the government in 1996 and declared March 17 as 'National Children's Day' by dedicating his birthday to children," she added.
The Awami League-led government is committed to make the country a safe abode for children, she said, adding:" We have formulated an up-to-date 'National Child Policy' for the welfare of children."
She further said that students are being provided free textbooks at the beginning of the year and almost cent percent of children are going to school today.
"We have published books on the life and works of the Father of the Nation for children and presented the real history of the Liberation War in text books," she said.
Along with paying tribute to the Father of the Nation on National Children's Day, the main goal of the government is to make the children of this country worthy citizens by following the life and ideals of the great leader, she added.
"Our children will be the charioteer to fulfill the dream of Smart Bangladesh by 2041. We all, irrespective of caste, creed and religions, need to work together to instill patriotism in children, build their personality, develop creativity and raise or boost their self-confidence," the premier continued.
Sheikh Hasina wished a bright future for tomorrow's children and youth.
"Let us dedicate our present time to the beautiful future and welfare of the children and together build the golden Bangladesh as dreamt by the father of the nation," she said.
The premier wished all the programmes taken on the occasion of the 103rd birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 'National Children's Day-2023' a success.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha