You are here: Home January 10,2010 The nation will observe the historic Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman bangabandhu_homecoming_day1.jpgtoday by paying rich tributes to the great leader. On this day in 1972, the architect of independence and unparalleled leader of the Bangali nation Bangabandhu returned home after nine and a half months of captivity in Pakistan jail. Millions of people had given a heartiest welcome to Bangabandhu when he arrived at Tejgaon Airport from New Delhi by a British Airways flight at 1.41 pm on January 10. The road from Shahbagh to Tejgaon Airport was jam-packed with crowds of people who were eagerly waiting for him. About four hours were needed for his motorcade to reach Race Course Maidan, now Suhrawardy Udyan, where he later addressed a mammoth meeting of about 10 lakh people. In the wake of the military crackdown by the Pakistani junta, Bangabandhu, who became the undisputed leader of the then Pakistan following the massive victory of his party Awami League in the 1970 general elections, declared Independence of Bangladesh through the then EPR wireless at 00-30 hours on March 26 (the night following March 25) in 1971 at his historic 32 No. Dhanmondi residence. Pakistan army later arrested Bangabandhu from his Dhanmondi residence during the late-night crackdown of Pakistani occupation forces on the people of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan). The Pakistan junta later sent Bangabandhu to Pakistan (then West Pakistan) and imprisoned him. After the nation achieved its victory over Pakistan on December 16, 1971 through a nine-month liberation war, the then Pakistan junta was compelled to free Bangabandhu. In a memorable public speech in Delhi on the way to return home, Bangabandhu said in an emotion-choked voice: "I am at last going back to Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal), the land of my dreams." He further said, "I go back to the sunshine of a million victorious smiles. I go back to free, independent Bangladesh." public holiday had been declared to celebrate his return to an independent and sovereign Bangladesh. He was driven in an open truck directly to the Race Course, where he declared emphatically that Bangladesh would be guided by "Socialism, democracy and secularism", sending a clear message that the concept of a Muslim state has been abandoned. After the meeting Sheikh Mujibur Rahman went to the temporary rented house in Dhanmondi for a tearful reunion with his family. Bangladesh Awami League (AL) has drawn up elaborate programmes to observe the Homecoming Day of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today. Rangpur to be built as a planned city: PM Sheikh Hasina January 08,2010 Announcing a massive development plan for Rangpur division, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said here today that her 09012011.jpggovernment is implementing its election pledges one after another. "Rangpur will be built as a planned city as I myself have taken responsibility for the development of the newly-established division," she said while addressing a mammoth rally at the Zilla School Ground in the city. Amid thunderous clapping and slogan of the cheerful people, the Prime Minister said the Rangpur Pourasabha will be turned into a city corporation side by side with introducing metropolitan police. Besides, she said, a modern stadium with swimming pool will be constructed, while burn unit, trauma centre and cardiac centre will be set up at Rangpur Medical College Hospital. "The present government is implementing its election commitments one after another as our aim is overall development of the country," she said urging all to supplement the government efforts. "We want to build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh by 2021," she added. Sheikh Hasina said the dreams of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were to bring smiles on the faces of the toiling masses. "We are working relentlessly to materialize that dreams and we are also working as servants of the people, not as rulers," she said. Referring to the various steps taken by her government for the development of the country, the Prime Minister said, "We have eliminated monga (a seasonal famine) for ever from Rangpur by creating massive employment. A huge number of the people of the country have been brought under social safety net through increasing number of beneficiaries of old-age allowance and widow allowance, she said. We intended to ensure highest progress of the country in the past two yrs: PM Sheikh Hasina Sheikh Hasina addressed the nation marking the completion of two years of the AL govt January 06,2010 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today sought the countrymen's cooperation in realizing her government's Vision- 2021 programme as she addressed the nation marking the completion of two 2011-01-06__pm-speech_latest.jpgyears of the Awami League-led grand alliance in office. "We may not reap immediately the benefits of the programme we undertook in the past years . . . as we had to start everything afresh because our preceding governments had left no development programmes for us to follow," she said a nationwide address. Sheikh Hasina, however, added that the people will see the results of her government's development programmes in course of time while she listed the sector wise achievements in the past two years. "I urge the countrymen, have a little patience, cooperate with us Insha Allah (Allah willing) we will definitely fulfill our commitments," the premier said. Sheikh Hasina said being a party of general masses Awami League intended to ensure optimum development of the country through the promotion of ordinary people and the past two years of development initiatives carried the testimonies to its commitments. But she said a quarter that had amassed wealth looting people's money and siphoned out a huge amount of money abroad was now trying to obstruct the progress of the country. "They earlier tried to frustrate the Bangabandhu murder trial and now they want to obstruct the war criminals trial. We seek countrymen's support in this regard," Sheikh Hasina said. The premier said her government would continue to work to fulfill the electoral pledges discarding the obstacles as "we are working for the benefit of the people, not being led by any personal gain". She urged all irrespective of political affiliation to join hands leaving aside the petty differences and work for the country's welfare. "We have already exhausted 40 years since the independence, the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for an exploitation-free society, the `Golden Bengal' is yet to be realized," Sheikh Hasina said. She expected Bangladesh to be built as the most peaceful and dignified nation in South Asia. After taking office, the Prime Minister said, "I and my colleagues tried frantically to change the lot of the common people by honoring their trust. Requesting the countrymen to compare the first two-year tenure between the present government and the BNP-Jamaat alliance government, she said, "You would judge how much successes we achieved in the last two years." Sheikh Hasina said all democratic institutions of the country were ruined during the seven-year rule of the four-party alliance government and the caretaker government. Sheikh Hasina urged student leaders to pay their attention to creative & productive activities January 05,2011 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday asked the leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) to pay full attention to their studies at least three months ahead of their exams, refraining from all organizational activities. “Students will have to be attentive to their studies apart from practising students’ politics, because good leadership is impossible without proper education. They who will show academic excellence, will be awarded,” she said. The Prime Minister made the remarks when BCL leaders met her at Ganobhaban in observance of BCL’s 63rd founding anniversary yesterday. She also advised the BCL leaders and workers to go back to their own villages soon after their exams, and engage themselves in educating illiterate people of the villages. “To earn the trust and confidence of the people is the biggest asset for politicians. You go to your own area after your exam, teach the illiterate people there. It’ll boost your acceptability and respect among people,” she said. The PM urged the students to pay their attention to creative and productive activities, such as involving themselves in repairing damaged dams, so that Bangladesh can be transformed into a middle-income country before 2021. Govt to set up university in each district for higher education for people: PM Sheikh Hasina January 03,2011 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday announced her government's plan to set up university in each district across the country to reach higher education facilities up to door step of the people. Besides, she said her government wants to decentralize all fundamental services including education and health services so that people living in the rural areas could avail the facilities. The Prime Minister said this while addressing a discussion meeting organized to mark the National Social Welfare Day- 2011 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) yesterday. Social Welfare Minister Enamul Haq Mostafa Shahid and Adviser to the Prime Minister Prof Dr Syed Modasser Ali also spoke on the occasion with Secretary of the Ministry Quamrunnesa Khanam in the chair. The Prime Minister said her government will distribute all government allowances through bank account to prevent mismanagement and irregularities and to ensure reaching of the allowances to the people. Referring to various activities undertaken by her previous government for the welfare of the people, she said the BNP- Jamaat government after coming to power suspended the programs due to petty political interest. "We will again resume the programs so that none can suspend the pro-people development programs," she asserted. The Prime Minister while reiterating her government's pledge for creating social safety net, said her government has taken various programs for improving living standard of the people. In this context, she said her government will take necessary measurers to stop begging through ensuring food and shelter for all. "Why people will get involved in begging, if we can ensure their food and shelter," she questioned.