Bangladesh
Bangabandhu's Ideals Striving to realize ideals of my father, Bangabandhu: PM Sheikh Hasina
Own representative, Dhaka, 23 December: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said she learned from her father- Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman- how to empathize with the deprived, the disadvantaged, and how to dream about building a prosperous future for them.
"He (Bangabandhu) dreamt about creating, once again, a Sonar Bangla, or Golden Bengal, as our land was known in ancient times. He envisioned a prosperous country based on the ideals of democracy, religious tolerance, and social justice. It ultimately became his political philosophy and lodestar all through his life. I have always tried to follow his advice and example," she said.
The Prime Minister described this in her article published in the US-based MIT Press Direct, one of the largest and most distinguished university presses in the world.
"Are you going to wear those flashy, expensive sari and jewelry? Most people these days can't even afford a single meal-do you want to show off how rich you are? Don't wear these please, wear something simple and ordinary so that you can identify yourself with the poor people of this land," Sheikh Hasina quoted her father as telling her.
The Prime Minister said that she can never forget those words of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the man people fondly called "Bangabandhu", or Friend of Bangladesh-a title bestowed in the 1960s that reflected how much they loved him. It was not meant to be a lofty title but, rather, a simple reflection of people's love, she added.
Focusing on Bangabandhu's leading role and dedication in the long and arduous 20-plus year struggle of freedom, sheikh Hasina said people could see these genuine qualities in him, which drew them naturally to him and encouraged them to seek his leadership and guidance.
Since Sheikh Mujib's call for independence resonated very deeply in the hearts of people, they launched an all-out war against the occupying Pakistani forces, which continued to carry out unimaginable atrocities that can only be described as genocide. Victory came on December 16, 1971, and Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign country, thus fulfilling the dream her father cherished for a quarter century, said the Prime Minister.
