Today is the 74th founding anniversary of Bangladesh Chhatra League, a traditional student organization which has given strong leadership in various democratic movements and struggles of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Chhatra League was born on 4th January 1948 under the direction of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with the aim of achieving the rights of Bengalis. The central leaders of Bangladesh Chhatra League, the largest and oldest student organization in the subcontinent, greeted and congratulated everyone on the occasion of the 74th anniversary of its glory, tradition, struggle and success.
Bangladesh Chhatra League in its long political cycle established this demand as a charter of emancipation through mass participation in the language movement of '52, victory of Jukta Front in the provincial assembly elections of '54, anti-Ayub movement of '58, education movement of '62 and 6-point ‘66. The organization then played a leading role in bringing Bangabandhu out of prison through mass uprising of 1969, the absolute victory of Awami League in the elections of 1970 and by participating in the great liberation war of 1971 to snatch the victory of the red and green flag in subjugated Bengal.
After gaining great independence on 16th December 1971, Chhatra League under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman took part in the reconstruction of war-torn Bangladesh. After the assassination of the Father of the Nation and his family on 15th August 1975, the spirit of independence and democracy was snatched away.
On 17th May 1981, Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina (the current Prime Minister) returned to the country and started a movement to re-establish the spirit of independence and restore democracy. Chhatra League played a unique role in the anti-authoritarian movement of the 90's under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
In order to celebrate the 74th founding anniversary of the organization in a colorful manner, a five-day detailed program has been adopted by the central committee of the organization. On this occasion, national and party flags will be hoisted at all the organizational offices including the central office of the organization at 7:30 am on Tuesday.
Other programs include: paying homage to the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban Road No. 32 in Dhanmondi at 8 am and the delegation of Central Executive Committee paying homage at Bangabandhu's tomb in Tungipara, cutting cake at Curzon Hall at 9 am
A discussion meeting will be held on January 5 at 11:30 am in the auditorium of Krishibid Institute Bangladesh (KIB). Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be directly connected in the video conference from Ganobhaban as the chief guest. The speech of the Prime Minister will be broadcast in the party offices of every district, metropolis and upazilla.
Besides, distribution of educational materials among street children at the Sparjito Swadhinata Chattar adjacent to TSC of Dhaka University on January 6 at 11 am, tree planting program at 3 pm, distribution of winter clothes among the destitute at 3 pm on January 7, voluntary blood donation at DU's Invincible Bengal will be observed by the organization.
Central Committee President Al Nahian Khan Joy and General Secretary Lekhak Bhattachariya have asked all units of Chattra League across the country to observe the day in a befitting manner.