On the occasion of March 26, the Independence and National Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to my fellow countrymen living at home and abroad. On this historic day, I remember with profound respect the architect of our independent Bangladesh, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In the early hours of March 26, 1971, he officially declared independence following the sudden attack of Pakistan forces on unarmed Bangalees the night before. We achieved an independent and sovereign Bangladesh through a nine-month-long Liberation War. I recall with deep respect the millions of martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the Liberation War. I recall with deep reverence our four national leaders, heroic freedom fighters, organizers, supporters, foreign friends, and people from all walks of life who made contributions to attain our right to self-determination and freedom movement. Bangabandhu always cherished a dream of building a happy and prosperous country along with attaining political emancipation. The present government has been rendering untiring efforts in materializing the dream of Bangabandhu. Today, we have achieved enormous success in various areas of socio-economic development including poverty alleviation, education, health, human resources development, women empowerment, reduction of child and maternal mortality rates, elimination of gender discrimination, and increase in average life expectancy. On the occasion of Mujib Borsho, a huge number of landless and homeless people are being rehabilitated. Different mega projects undertaken by the present government are also progressing uninterruptedly. Bangladesh has already elevated from a least developed country to a developing country. Bangladesh will turn into a developed and prosperous country by 2041, lnsha Allah. Due to the timely and courageous steps taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the government has been able to maintain economic growth by countering the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Adequate amounts of vaccine have been arranged for all to deal with COVID-19. All should continue necessary precautions to prevent infection. The government has been consistent in upholding our foreign policy, “Friendship to all, malice toward none,” as enunciated by the Father of the Nation. Our achievement in the international arena, including the establishment of world peace, is also commendable. Despite being a densely populated country, Bangladesh has set a unique example of humanity in the world by sheltering millions of Rohingyas who have been tortured and forcibly displaced from Myanmar. Bangladesh believes in a peaceful solution to this problem. I call upon the UN and the international community, including Myanmar, to take early and effective measures for a permanent solution to this problem. In order to achieve the desired goal of independence, we must ensure people-oriented and sustainable development, good governance, social justice, transparency, and accountability. Forbearance, human rights, and rule of law have to be consolidated for institutionalizing democracy. By assassinating Bangabandhu on Aug. 15, 1975, anti-liberation forces tried to erase his policy, ideology, as well as stop the progress of the country forever. Death has not dissipated him but has made him brighter and more glorious in the minds of Bangalees. It is our obligation to make the new and future generation understand that the path shown by Bangabandhu is the step of development and progress at present and in the future. With the joint efforts of all, may our beloved motherland become a developed country free from hunger and poverty — this is my expectation on the great Independence Day. Joi Bangla. Khoda Hafez, May Bangladesh Live Forever. Abdul Hamid President, People’s Republic of Bangladesh