Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said UNESCO acknowledgement of Bangabandhu's 7th March speech as a world heritage proved the history could never be erased while she sought nation's vigilance to keep upheld the nation's pride.
"The UNESCO recognition clearly manifested that none can erase the history of the Bengali nation. The recognition has honoured every Bengalis, the freedom fighters, family members of the martyrs," she said addressing a civic rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, the scene of the historic address 46 years ago.
The premier said the glorified address had appeared as the pathfinder for Bengali nation's freedom and emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation while she urged the people to remain careful so none can lower nation's head in future as desperate efforts were made in the past to do so.
Tens of thousands of people joined the rally to celebrate UNESCO recognition of the speech as a "world documentary heritage" and pay glowing tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sehikh Mujibur Rahman.
Only 18 days after the historic event the Father of the Nation gave the declaration of the Independence.
Professor Emeritus Dr Anisuzzaman was in the chair while Professor Emeritus Dr. Rafiqul Islam and celebrated writer and academic Professor Jafor Iqbal attended the as special guests the function, also joined by different political party leaders like Hassanul Haq Inu, Kader Siddiqui and Barrister Nazmul Huda along with veteran Awami Leaguers.
UNESCO Country Representative in Dhaka Beatrice Kaldun, journalist Golam Sarwar and Shyamoli Nasrin Chowdhury, wife of martyred intellectual Dr Aleem Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport Minister Obaidul Kader read out the letter of the vote of thanks to Director General of the UNESCO for the recognition to March 7 Speech of Bangabandhu.
Noted singer Momtaj, Shahin Samad and Sajid Akbor enthrall the audience with Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Getti, patriotic and folk songs while the a troupe of Shilpakala Academy artistes performed the national anthem to begin the function. Poet Nirmalendu Goon recited his poem 'Swadhinata ei shabdati kibhabe amadeer holo' while Asaduzzaman Noor recited the poem 'Parichoy" of Syed Shamsul Haque. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on October 30, 2017 announced inclusion of Bangabandhu's historic March 7 speech in the Memory of the World International Register.
Source: BSS