War criminals’ trial beginning of a new history : PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Saturday the trial of the war criminals and butchers of 1971 is the beginning of a new historic process of cleansing the society of stigma of the documented atrocities on a nation, reports BSS.
"There will be no space for the evil force in Bangladesh which will be a pacifist nation in South Asia," she said while inaugurating the month-long Amar Ekushey Granthamela (Book Fair) on the premises of Bangla Academy in the afternoon.
Calling for more and more practice in Bengali literature and culture, the Prime Minister said the spirit of nationalism should be implemented in every sphere of the society to resist the wicked force.
Terming the 'Ekushey Granthamela' a source of inspiration for Bengali people, Sheikh Hasina said the fair has an important role in flourishing the thoughts and minds of the writers, publishers and new generations giving them right direction for future.
She said the space of the book fair has been expanded across Suharawardy Uddyan this year for turning the historic venue as the cultural centre of the nation.
Chairman of Bangla Academy Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman presided over the function while Minister for Cultural Affairs Asaduzzaman Noor, cultural affairs secretary Dr Ranjit Biswas spoke on the occasion. Director General of Bangla Academy Shamsuzzaman Khan gave welcome address.
Speaker, Deputy Speaker, ministers, PM's advisers, fellows and life members of Bangla Academy, academics, teachers, poets, litterateurs, writers, publishers, artistes attended the inaugural function of the book fair being held under the auspices of Bangla Academy.
The Prime Minister handed over honourary fellowship of Bangla Academy to noted pantomime artiste Partha Pratim Majumder and Bangla Academy Literary Award to nine eminent poets, writers, researchers and academics for their contributions in various disciplines of literature.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister disclosed her government's plan to make Bangla Academy premises, Suharawardi Uddyan, Ramna Park, Dhaka University and Shaheed Minar areas as a centre of cultural practice through connecting the areas and building necessary infrastructure.
Praising the role of Bangla Academy in promoting Bangla language, literature and culture, the Prime Minister said the academy, since its inception in 1955, is making relentless efforts for intellectual development of the Bengali people.
She said a new book published by the academy this year on evolution of Bangla language would open up new chapter for research in Bengali language.
"The enemies of Bangali nationalism have vengeance on the academy. So the occupation forces destroyed the academy during the War of Liberation. Despite enormous obstacles and destruction, the academy is carrying out its activities for progress of the Bengali culture and heritage," she said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid importance on translation of the popular books of Bengali literature in other languages and vice versa to enrich Bangla language.
The inaugural function began with playing of the national anthem, recitation of the verses from the main religious books of different religions and immortal Ekushey song 'Amar bhayer rokte rangano ekushey February'. Besides, one-minute silence was observed in memory of the martyrs of the Language Movement.
Referring to the contemporary history of the nation, Sheikh Hasina recalled the leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during the Language Movement in 1952 for which he was imprisoned time and again.
She also recalled the contribution of language veteran Dhirendranath Dutta, who first placed the demand in the then Pakistan National Assembly in 1948 for making Bangla as one of the state languages.
The Prime Minister also paid glowing tributes to former Chief Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman and recalled his outstanding contribution to enrich Bengali literature.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government in 1996 took the spirit of immortal Ekushey to international arena. With the help of two expatriate nationals, Ekushey February earned recognition as the International Mother Language Day.
Sheikh Hasina hoped that this year's book fair would help Bangla language to link it with contemporary world literature and marketing of the books would boost country's economy.
The Prime Minister said the government has taken initiative to prepare a legal framework to strengthen the activities of the Bangla Academy. She said the government has already launched work to formulate a Jatiya Grantha Niti.