Lessons of Victory Day
Sunday, 16 December 2007
THE nation celebrates today the Victory Day that marked the end of a nine-month old bloody war waged by the people of this land against Pakistani occupation forces. On this auspicious day, the forces under the then Eastern Command of the Pakistan Army who were instrumental in suppressing the freedom-loving people through genocide, arson, loot and rape surrendered to the joint command comprising Bangladesh liberation forces and the Indian Army. The Bangladeshis while celebrating this great event every year recalls with gratitude the martyrs of liberation war, particularly the freedom fighters, and pay glowing tributes to them.
This ought to be a befitting occasion for the citizens of a country, who got their independence at a huge cost, to search their souls to make a review of the progress made in attaining the goals for which all the sacrifices were made. The freedom struggle was based on a few distinctive political and socio-economic goals. We can hardly claim that we are somewhere near those even after 36 years of independence. For instance, practice of unfettered democracy and economic emancipation of the people were two prime objectives of the War of Liberation. Unfortunately, the people had to wait for long two decades since independence to get the taste of democracy. But poor governance, abuse of power, corruption and political confrontation took much shine off democratic rule. The two warring major political parties brought the situation to such a level that a democratic election due for January last could not be held and the President had to proclaim emergency to save the nation from a catastrophe. The present interim administration is now doing all the spadework to restore democracy sans all the vices that spoiled true democratic governance.
Undeniably, there has been some tangible progress on the economic front. The annual economic growth rate, particularly during the democratic rule for the last 15 years, has been encouraging compared to that of many developing and least developed countries. New industries have come up. Exports have been growing amid greater interest among foreign investors in this country. But there exists a strong feeling that the economy, even after what it had achieved during that period, performed well below its potentials because of poor governance, confrontational politics and corruption. Thus, the goal of economic emancipation continues to be a mirage. Though there has been some improvement in poverty situation, nearly 40 per cent of the population are still enmeshed in poverty. What is more depressing is that economic inequalities have been on the rise. The country is also destined to face many more complex problems in future because of its large population in a small land area, small resource base and global warming.
The future, under the circumstances, does not hold any bright prospect for the nation unless and until it gets visionary leaders having the mental strength and courage in order to steer it during its turbulent times and ensure the optimum use of its resources and opportunities for the greater good of the common men. The people in the past generously lent their support to leaders who had in them the sparks of vision and foresight. In future, they would certainly stand stoutly behind such leaders, if there was any. On an auspicious occasion such as Victory Day, the people do need to make a strong resolve that they would do their best to install honest and clean people at the helm of state affairs as well as local government institutions. And if they remain honest to such an intention, it would, surely, be a big step forward towards achieving the basic objectives of the War of Liberation.
This ought to be a befitting occasion for the citizens of a country, who got their independence at a huge cost, to search their souls to make a review of the progress made in attaining the goals for which all the sacrifices were made. The freedom struggle was based on a few distinctive political and socio-economic goals. We can hardly claim that we are somewhere near those even after 36 years of independence. For instance, practice of unfettered democracy and economic emancipation of the people were two prime objectives of the War of Liberation. Unfortunately, the people had to wait for long two decades since independence to get the taste of democracy. But poor governance, abuse of power, corruption and political confrontation took much shine off democratic rule. The two warring major political parties brought the situation to such a level that a democratic election due for January last could not be held and the President had to proclaim emergency to save the nation from a catastrophe. The present interim administration is now doing all the spadework to restore democracy sans all the vices that spoiled true democratic governance.
Undeniably, there has been some tangible progress on the economic front. The annual economic growth rate, particularly during the democratic rule for the last 15 years, has been encouraging compared to that of many developing and least developed countries. New industries have come up. Exports have been growing amid greater interest among foreign investors in this country. But there exists a strong feeling that the economy, even after what it had achieved during that period, performed well below its potentials because of poor governance, confrontational politics and corruption. Thus, the goal of economic emancipation continues to be a mirage. Though there has been some improvement in poverty situation, nearly 40 per cent of the population are still enmeshed in poverty. What is more depressing is that economic inequalities have been on the rise. The country is also destined to face many more complex problems in future because of its large population in a small land area, small resource base and global warming.
The future, under the circumstances, does not hold any bright prospect for the nation unless and until it gets visionary leaders having the mental strength and courage in order to steer it during its turbulent times and ensure the optimum use of its resources and opportunities for the greater good of the common men. The people in the past generously lent their support to leaders who had in them the sparks of vision and foresight. In future, they would certainly stand stoutly behind such leaders, if there was any. On an auspicious occasion such as Victory Day, the people do need to make a strong resolve that they would do their best to install honest and clean people at the helm of state affairs as well as local government institutions. And if they remain honest to such an intention, it would, surely, be a big step forward towards achieving the basic objectives of the War of Liberation.