Bangladesh: Role model for development

March 26th is the Independence Day of Bangladesh. On the occasion of our great Independence and National Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to my fellow countrymen living at home and abroad.
On this historic day, I recall with profound respect father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who proclaimed independence on March 26, 1971.
Under his able leadership, we achieved our independence through a nine-month long armed struggle.
Today, I pay my deep tributes to the martyrs and valiant sons of the soil, who made the supreme sacrifices in the war of liberation.
I also recall with deep reverence our four national leaders, valiant freedom-fighters, organizers, supporters and people from all walks of life for their unmatched valor, immense contributions and courageous role that accelerated the achievement of our victory.
I remember with deep respect our foreign friends who extended their wholehearted support directly and indirectly in our war of liberation in 1971.
They sheltered millions of refugees who fled from our country during war.
The contributions of all would be written in golden letters in the history of our independence forever.
We have achieved our hard-earned independence through huge sacrifices.
Bangabandhu always cherished a dream of building a happy and prosperous country along with achieving political independence.
Keeping that in mind, the present government has been rendering untiring efforts in materializing the dream of Bangabandhu.
The growth rate of gross domestic product (GDP) is increasing constantly. Per capita income is increasing and the rate of poverty is decreasing.
Our country has attained food-sufficiency owing to the huge development in agriculture. The pace of advancement in the sector of empowerment of women, social safety net etc. is going on. Now the Padma Bridge is not a dream, it is a reality. Bangabandhu Satellite-1 is waiting to be launched into the space.
Bangladesh is elevated from least developed country (LDC) to the developing nation in context of three index of being a developing country. As a nation, it is a great achievement for us.
Bangladesh is now being branded as a role model of development in the outside world. In pursuing our diplomatic objectives, the government has been consistent in upholding the principle of “Friendship to all, malice toward none” as enunciated by father of the nation.
Our achievement in international arena is also commendable.
Our expatriate Bangladeshis have also been making significant contributions to our national economy through sending their hard-earned remittances.
Nevertheless, we have to go a long way for achieving the desired goals of independence. We must ensure good governance, social justice, transparency and accountability to make the development people oriented and sustainable.
Self-restraint and showing respect to others’ opinion are important for thriving and institutionalization of democracy.
Therefore, we have to maintain patience, self-restraint, and forbearance in our national life. We must show respect to others’ opinion.
National Parliament would be the center of hopes and aspirations of the people. For this, the ruling party as well as the opposition would have to play constructive role. People of Bangladesh are always peace loving. They do not support any type of violence including militancy and terrorism.
Father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman dreamt of transforming Bangladesh into “Sonar Bangla.”
The present government has set “Vision 2021” and `Vision 2041’ to materialize Bangabandhu’s dream into reality. Concerted efforts are imperative from all to implement those initiatives.
Imbued with the spirit of war of liberation and democratic values, let us work together irrespective of caste, creed and party opinion to make our hard-earned independence more meaningful. Let this be the pledge of our Independence and National Day.
Khoda Hafez, May Bangladesh Live Forever.

Md. Abdul Hamid
President of Bangladesh