<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>The nation honors its Father on the occasion of his 103rd birthday, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Born in Tungipara, Gopalganj, on March 17, 1920, he later rose to prominence as the chief architect of Bangladesh's independence.</b></span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He led the struggle for independence from Pakistan and finally achieved it on December 16, 1971.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangabandhu is the "Father of the Nation" - just as a father nurtures and protects his children, Bangabandhu worked tirelessly to protect the rights and dignity of his fellow Bangladeshis.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangabandhu spent his entire life advancing the interests of the Bangladeshi people. He was a bold leader who stood up for the rights of his people and helped create an independent, flourishing Bangladesh. A generation of Bangladeshis was motivated to rebel against tyranny and injustice by his unrelenting dedication to democracy, freedom, and social justice.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He became involved in politics during his student days and joined the All India Muslim Students Federation in 1940. In 1943, he became the joint secretary of the Islamia College Students' Union in Kolkata and played an active role in organizing student protests against British colonial rule. In 1946, Bangabandhu joined the Bengal Provincial Muslim League and was elected as a member of its Working Committee. In 1949, he became the general secretary of the East Pakistan Awami Muslim League, which later became the Awami League. He was elected as a member of the East Pakistan Legislative Assembly in 1955. His political career saw many ups and downs, but he never lost sight of his goal of securing independence for Bangladesh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He was a "beacon of hope" for the people of Bangladesh - even in the darkest days of oppression and tyranny, Bangabandhu's unwavering commitment to freedom and justice shone bright, inspiring millions to rise up against their oppressors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As we commemorate his birthday, we recall his well-known address on March 7, 1971, in which he urged his fellow Bangladeshis to rebel against the Pakistani government's oppression. He stated: "The struggle this time is for our emancipation, the struggle this time is for our independence." The Bangladesh Liberation War, which finally resulted in the creation of Bangladesh, was sparked by this speech.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangabandhu's life story is one of great sacrifice and struggle. From a young age, he was inspired by the idea of a free and independent Bangladesh, and he spent much of his life working towards that goal. He was a vocal advocate for the rights of Bengalis, who were often marginalized and oppressed under the ruling Pakistani government. He was arrested multiple times for his activism, and spent a total of 4,682 days in prison.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 1966, he formed the Six Points demand for greater autonomy for East Pakistan. He led the Awami League to victory in the first general elections in Pakistan in 1970.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On March 26, 1971, Pakistan launched Operation Searchlight, which aimed to suppress the Bengali nationalist movement in East Pakistan. Bangabandhu was arrested and taken to West Pakistan, where he was kept in solitary confinement for months. However, his unwavering determination and leadership inspired the Bengali people to continue their struggle for independence.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangabandhu was a "fierce lion" - just as a lion defends its territory and its pride, Bangabandhu fearlessly fought for the rights of his people, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. Despite being imprisoned and persecuted by the Pakistani authorities, he never lost faith in his vision of a free and democratic Bangladesh. He believed that the people of Bangladesh deserved to live in a country that respected their rights and freedoms, and he worked tirelessly to achieve this goal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangabandhu was not only a great leader but also a writer and a philosopher. His writings and speeches reflected his deep love for his country and his people. His quotation "I am void and have nothing to offer but love" is still evergreen in the heart of the people of Bangladesh. It represents the pride and dignity of the Bengali language and culture.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He was a "guiding light" for the Bengali people - his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to democracy and social justice lit the way for a new Bangladesh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangabandhu was a visionary leader who fought tirelessly for the rights of the Bengali people. His political career began in the early 1950s when he joined the Awami League, a political party dedicated to the cause of Bengali nationalism. He quickly rose through the ranks and became the party's president in 1966.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Throughout his life, Bangabandhu worked with many international leaders to improve the position of Bangladesh in the world. He played a key role in establishing diplomatic relations with countries like China, Japan, and the United States. He also served as the Chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement from 1973 to 1974, which gave Bangladesh a prominent voice on the global stage.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangabandhu's leadership and vision were recognized by international leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, with whom he signed the historic India-Bangladesh Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Peace on March 19, 1972. He also addressed the United Nations General Assembly on September 25, 1974, and his speech on the need for global peace and cooperation is still remembered today.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 1972, he worked to establish diplomatic relations with other countries and secure aid for the reconstruction of the war-torn nation. He promulgated the new Constitution of Bangladesh, which established a parliamentary democracy in 1973. He led the Bangladesh delegation to the 29th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he called for the recognition of Bangladesh's sovereignty and independence in 1974. In 1975 he led efforts to promote regional cooperation through the establishment of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Despite his achievements, Bangabandhu's life was tragically cut short by the assassination on August 15, 1975. However, his legacy lives on and continues to inspire generations of Bangladeshis.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangabandhu's legacy is not limited to his contributions to the independence movement. He also played a pivotal role in shaping the new nation of Bangladesh. As the first President and later Prime Minister of Bangladesh, he worked tirelessly to rebuild the country and create a new political, social, and economic order. His policies focused on improving the lives of the people, particularly the poor and disadvantaged.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In his book, "The Unfinished Memoirs," Bangabandhu wrote, "I have no ambition in this world but one, and that is to be a father to my nation." He lived up to this ambition and remains a beloved figure in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On his 103rd birthday anniversary, Bangladesh pays tribute to Bangabandhu and his contributions to the nation. His vision and leadership continue to inspire generations of Bangladeshis and serve as a reminder of the values that define our nation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangabandhu was not just a man, he was a movement. His name will forever be synonymous with the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. He was, and will always remain, the heart and soul of Bangladesh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>