Sector commanders and freedom fighters on Friday urged all to unite the nation in spirit of the Liberation War that cost 30 lakh lives, violation of 6 lakh women within nine-month mass fighting forty six years ago.
At an honorary reception programme in the city, sector commanders and other eminent freedom fighters expressed their desire of democratic and discrimination-free nation which was dreamt by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Bengali newspaper Bangladesh Pratidin organised the event titled ‘Lifetime Achievement’ to honour the Liberation War Heroes. Seventeen super heroes who fought against Pakistani perpetrators with arms, writings and cultural activities during liberation movement.
Cabinet Secretary of the first Government of Republic Bangladesh and Prime Minister’s Advisor Hossain Toufique Imam was the chief guest while Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan and Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naem Nizam were present on the occasion.
The lifetime achievement recipient freedom fighters are – Air vice Martial Abdul Karim Khandker, Major General Kazi Mohammed Safiullah, Major Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, Lieutenant Colonel Abu Osman Chowdhury, Colonel Zafar Imam, Major Muhammad Shahjahan Omar, Colonel Gaffar Haldar, Comoder AW Chowdhury, Scoadron Leader Liakat Ali Khan, Group Captain Shamsul Alam, Kamrul Hasan Bhuiyan, Commander Khalilur Rahman, Mamunur Rashid, Major Akhtaruzzaman, Kamal Lohani, Zafarullah Chowdhury, Mubashwir Hossain.
Adressing the function, PM’s Advisor HT Imam said,” three words– Bangladesh, Bangabandhu and Independence are synonyms.
Our liberation was a mass fighting where people from all walks of life participated with a single vision of ‘independence’. Under leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, our four national leaders led the nation forward.”
Imam, cabinet secretary of then government, urged journalist to mention their cabinet as First Government of People Republic Bangladesh’ rather than the ‘War-time Government’, ‘Mujib Nagar Sarkar’ and so on.
Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan said Bangladesh will always remember the contributions of the freedom fighters who dedicated themselves for the birth of an independent nation and go on to fulfill their dreams.
“Bangladesh is moving forward with the inspiration from you (freedom fighters). Once someone termed our country as ‘Bottomless Basket’ but now the world is appreciating the progress of Bangladesh economy, it could be possible for the motivations come from freedom fighters.
He said that every freedom fighter is himself a history which patron Bangladesh to establish a progressive nation.
The chairman also focused on his vision to keep sprite of Liberation War in every media outlets led by his company.
In address of welcome, Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naem Nizam said freedom fighters are the creators of the word ‘Bangladesh’.