Had Bangladesh not been independent, no Bengali would have been able to become a businessman and such economic progress would not have been possible. Therefore, the FBCCI is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the victory on behalf of the private sector as the top organization of businessmen, paying homage to the contribution of the Father of the Nation, the sacrifices of millions of martyrs in the war of liberation.
This was stated by FBCCI Senior Vice President Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Azad Babu while addressing a function on the 4th day of the 16-day '50th Anniversary of Victory: Red and Green Festival' organized by FBCCI.
The Nazrul festival was held on Saturday (December 4) at the Hatirjheel Amphitheater in the capital.
The Senior Vice-President of the FBCCI said that the innumerable songs and poems written by the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam had inspired the freedom fighters during the difficult days of the liberation war. His writings have awakened the Bangladeshis of all religions, castes and professions.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman brought the poet Nazrul Islam back to the country soon after independence and awarded him the status of National Poet. Respecting the literary work of the national poet during the mass uprising and liberation war of 1971, the fourth day has been dedicated to the time-honored poet like Nazrul in the Independence Day celebrations.
Minister for Social Welfare Nuruzzaman Ahmed was present as the chief guest on the occasion. He said that Bengalis were always exploited. If Bangabandhu had not made the country independent, Bengalis could never have been rulers. And the once unfamiliar Bangladesh under the rule of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the worthy daughter of Bangabandhu, has now become known around the world as a role model for development.
State Minister for Culture KM Khalid addressed the function as a special guest. He said this year is the 100th year of Nazrul's famous ‘Bidrohi’ poetry. At the same time Bangabandhu's birth centenary and one hundred years of Dhaka University have been completed. So Nazrul festival is very significant in this program.
Speaking as the guest of honor on the occasion, Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, former president of FBCCI, said that forty years back, Bangladeshis were subjected to insults while performing Umrah abroad. But now the people of that country are interested in investing in Bangladesh, expanding trade. In the path shown by Bangabandhu, Bangladesh has reached the role model of the world under the strong leadership of the Prime Minister.
Earlier in his congratulatory speech, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Md. Atiqul Islam called upon all to keep Dhaka city beautiful and clean.
At the end of the brief speech of the guests, pleasant cultural program was staged.
The Rabindra Utsav will be held on Sunday evening, the 5th day of the 16-day '50th Anniversary of Victory: Red-Green Festival '. Minister of Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Hassan Mahmud will be present as the chief guest.