FFs call for uniting nation with liberation war spirit

The country’s Liberation War heroes on Friday urged the nation to get united again with the spirit of the independence achieved through an armed struggle in 1971.
They made the call while speaking at an award-giving ceremony on the premises of the East West Media Group Limited (EWMGL) in Bashundhara Residential Area of the capital.
Bangladesh Pratidin, the highest circulated daily in the country, organised the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ programme in honour of noted freedom fighters. The newspaper honoured 17 war heroes with awards.

The freedom fighters stressed the need for establishing a democratic nation as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Prime Minister’s Adviser HT Imam, Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naem Nizam and Kaler Kantho Editor Imdadul Haq Milon also spoke on the occasion.
The award-holders are Air Vice Martial (retd) AK Khandker, Major General (retd) Kazi Mohammed Safiullah, Major (retd) Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury, Major Muhammad (retd) Shahjahan Omar, Colonel (retd) AHM Gaffar, Commodore (retd) Abdul Wahed Chowdhury, Squadron Leader (retd) Liakat Ali Khan, Group Captain (retd) Shamsul Alam, Major (retd) Kamrul Hasan Bhuiyan, Commander (retd) Khalilur Rahman, Kamal Lohani, Mamunur Rashid, Major (retd) Akhtaruzzaman, Zafrullah Chowdhury and Mubasshar Hussein.Addressing the function, HT Imam said, “Bangladesh, Bangabandhu and independence are three synonymous words. Our Liberation War was a mass fighting where people from all walks of life participated with a single vision of independence. Under the leadership of Bangabandhu, our four national leaders led the nation forward.”
Imam, who was the cabinet secretary to Bangladesh’s birth-time government, urged journalists to mention that government as ‘first government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh’ rather than ‘wartime government, ‘Mujib Nagar government or exiled government’.
Speaking on the occasion, Bashundhara Group Chairman Ahmad Akbar Sobhan said Bangladesh upholds the contributions of the freedom fighters who dedicated to the birth of an independent nation.
“Bangladesh is moving forward with inspiration from you (freedom fighters). Once someone termed our country as ‘bottomless basket’, but now the world appreciates the progress of Bangladesh economy which is the harvest of the struggle of freedom fighters,” he added.
He said every freedom fighter is a history which patrons Bangladesh to establish a progressive nation.

The chairman of Bashundhara Group, a leading business conglomerate in the country, said freedom fighters will be remaining above us as long as Bangladesh and the world survive.
He also said every media outlet of the EWMGL is keeping the spirit of the Liberation War.
In his welcome address, Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Naem Nizam said freedom fighters are the creators of the word ‘Bangladesh’.
“You (freedom fighters) have given us an independent country. We are inspired by the spirit of the Liberation War. Today Bangladesh Pratidin and other media outlets of the East West Media Group Limited are proud to honour you although 46 years have passed off since we achieved the independence,” he said.
In his speech, Kaler Kantho Editor Imdadul Haq Milon said 1971 was good time as well as bad one for Bangladeshis.
“The days were good occasion for all Bangladeshis who participated in the mass fighting rising above all ideological differences. The days were bad for us as we lost 30 lakhs of brave souls in the bloodshed,” he said.
Daily Sun Executive Editor Shiabur Rahman, Kaler Kantho Executive Editor Mostofa Kamal, Social Islami Bank  Managing Director Quazi Osman Ali, among others, were also present.
At the function moderated by NEWS24 Head of Current Affairs Samia Rahman, the freedom fighters were honoured with crest and uttario (scarf).
The then deputy chief of the liberation forces, AK Khandker, said Bangladesh is created by mass fighters, so evil forces can never derail the nation.
KM Shafiullah said the nation should get united again as we were together for independence of Bangladesh.
Zafrullah Chowdhury said Bangladesh should learn from the Liberation War which is a big example of a democratic movement and also an achievement of freedom fighters.
Kamal Lohani recalled the days of the liberation movement with his slogan at Swadhin Bangla Kendra: “They are killing human being, let we kill beast”.
Major Akhtaruzzaman, Major Muhammad Shahjahan Omar and AHM Gaffar, among others, spoke on the session.

SOURCE : Daily Sun