Pledge to build a prosperous Bangladesh

Today is the 47th anniversary of Victory Day of Bangladesh. On this day in 1971, the nation came out victorious after nine months of war against the Pakistani occupation forces. The victory was bittersweet for millions of Bangladeshis as their tears of joy and triumph were mixed with the agonies of losing loved ones. Three million people were killed by the occupation forces and their collaborators and 200,000 women were raped and tortured by them.

The nation of Bangladesh will always remain indebted and grateful to its freedom fighters who snatched victory from the clutches of Pakistani military.

On the auspicious occasion of Victory Day celebration the nation is looking forward to immense possibilities in the future. But there are still many problems that the country needs to overcome. The gap in wealth between the rich and the poor continues to increase. Democracy is yet to be firmly established. The rule of law is still weak. Employment opportunities have to be created. Human rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of the press, universal education and affordable healthcare, are to be strengthened. Poverty has to be alleviated and industrialisation has to be speeded up.

The policymakers and state-functionaries should pledge to address these issues seriously in the coming days to realise the dream of the freedom fighters.

Abul Khaer,

Govt. Saadat College, Tangail.

[email protected]