Text of PM’s address at the National Day programme of Bangladesh

Nomoshkar!

Excellencies,

President of Bangladesh
Abdul Hamid ji,

Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina ji,

Agriculture Minister
Dr. Mohammad Abdur Razzaq ji,

Madam Sheikh Rehana ji,

other distinguished guests,

Shonar Banglore Prio Bondhura,

this affection of all of you is one of the precious moments of my life . I am glad that you also included me in this important phase of the development journey of Bangladesh. Today is the National Day of Bangladesh, and it is also the 50th anniversary of Shaadi-Nauta. This year is also completing 50 years of India-Bangladesh friendship. This year of the birth centenary of Jatir Peeta Bongaoboundhu Sheikh Mujibur Rohman is strengthening the relationship between the two countries.

Excellencies

I express my gratitude to President Abdul Hamidji, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina ji and the citizens of Bangladesh. In these glorious moments, you extended a warm invitation to India to participate in this festival. On behalf of all Indians, I extend my heartiest congratulations to all of you, all the citizens of Bangladesh. I pay my respectful tribute to Bongoboundu Sheikh Mujibur Rohman ji who sacrificed his life for Bangladesh and its people. It is a matter of pride for us Indians that we, Sheikh Mujibur Rohman ji got an opportunity to give Gandhi Peace Honor. I also applaud all the artists who have given a grand performance at this event right here.

Bondhugon, I am remembering today the millions of sons and daughters of Bangladesh who have endured countless atrocities for their country, their language, their culture, given their blood, and put their lives at stake. Today I am remembering the knights of Muktijuddo. Today I remember Shaheed Dhirendronath Datto, educationist Rafikuddin Ahmed, language-martyr Salaam, Rafiq, Barkat, Jabbar and Shafiur ji!

Today I also salute the brave soldiers of the Indian Army who stood with the brothers and sisters of Bangladesh in Muktijuddo. Those who gave their blood in Muktijuddo, sacrificed themselves, and played a very big role in realizing the dream of independent Bangladesh. Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, General Arora, General Jacob, Lance Nayak Albert Ekka, Group Captain Chandan Singh, Captain Mohan Narayan Rao Samant, there are countless heroes whose stories of leadership and courage inspire us. The War Memorial has been dedicated in Ashugong by the Bangladesh government to commemorate these heroes.

I thank you for this. I am happy that many Indian soldiers involved in Muktijuddo are present with me especially in this event. My brothers and sisters in Bangladesh, I would like to remind one more thing to the young generation here and I would like to be reminded with great pride. Joining that struggle in the struggle for independence of Bangladesh was one of the first movements of my life. I must have been 20-22 years old when I and many of my colleagues had done Satyagraha for the freedom of the people of Bangladesh.

In support of Bangladesh’s independence, I had also given arrest and had the opportunity to go to jail. That is, the yearning for Bangladesh’s independence was as much as it was here. Here the pictures of the heinous crimes and atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army did not allow them to sleep for many days.

Gobindo Halladar ji had said-

‘A Shagor Roktar Binimoye,
Banglar Shahadhinota Aanle Jara,
Amra Tomader Bhulbo Na,
Amra Tomader Bhulbo Na’, that is

, those who liberated Bangladesh from the ocean of their blood, we will not forget them. We will not forget them. Bondhugon, an autocratic government, was massacring its own citizens.

His language, his voice, was crushing his identity. Operation cruelty, oppression and atrocity of Operation Search-light ‘has not been discussed in the world as much as it was supposed to be discussed. Bondhugon, amidst all this, was a ray of hope for the people here and us Indians – Bangobandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rohman.

Encouraged by Bongoboundu, his leadership had decided that no force could enslave Bangladesh.

Bongoboundu announced-

Abarer Shongram Amader Muktir Shongram,
Abarer Shongram Shadhinotar Shongram.

This time the struggle is for liberation, this time the struggle is for freedom. Under his leadership, the common man, be it men or women, farmers, youth, teachers, workers all came together to become Muktwahini.

And so today is also the day to remember Mujib Borshe, Bongoboundu’s vision, his ideals, and his courage. It is time for “Chiro Bidrohi” to recollect the spirit of Muktijuddho. The freedom struggle of Bondhugon, Bangladesh was supported from every corner of India, from every party, from every section of society.

The efforts of the then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi and their important role are well known. At the same time, on 6 December 1971, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji said- “We are not only fighting with those who sacrificed their lives in the freedom struggle, but we are also trying to give a new direction to history.” “Today, the blood of those who fight for their freedom and the Indian jawans in Bangladesh is flowing together.

This blood will build relations that will not break under any pressure, which will not become the victim of any diplomacy”. Our former President Pranab Mukherjee ji Pranab da had said that he called Bangoboundhu a tireless statesman. He said that Sheikh Mujibur is a symbol of Rohman’s life, patience, commitment and self-restraint.

Bondhugon, it is a happy coincidence that 50 years of independence of Bangladesh and 75 years of independence of India, have come together. For both of us, the journey of the next 25 years in the 21st century is very important. Our heritage is also shared, our development is also shared.

Our goals are also shared, our challenges are also shared. We have to remember that while there are similar possibilities for us in trade and industry, there are similar threats like terrorism. The thinking and powers that carry out such inhuman events are still active.

We must also be careful with them and also be organized to fight them. We both have the power of democracy, have a clear vision to move forward. Let India and Bangladesh move together, it is equally important for the development of this entire region.

And so, today the governments of both India and Bangladesh are realizing this sensitivity, and making meaningful efforts in this direction. We have shown that mutual trust and cooperation can lead to every solution. Our Land Boundary Agreement is also a witness to this. Even in this period of Corona, there has been a good coordination between the two countries.

We supported the establishment of the SAARC Covid Fund, supported the training of our human resources. India is very happy that Made in India vaccines are of use to our sisters and brothers in Bangladesh. I remember those pictures when on 26 January this year, on Republic Day of India, the Tri-Service Contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces paraded to the tune of Shono Acti Mujiborer Theke.

The future of India and Bangladesh is waiting for countless such moments, full of harmony and mutual trust. Friends, To strengthen India-Bangladesh relations, there is an equal need for better connect among the youth of both the countries. On the occasion of 50 years of India-Bangladesh relations, I would like to invite 50 entrepreneurs from Bangladesh to India.

Come to India, meet venture capitalists associated with our start-up and innovation eco-system. We will also learn from them, they will also get an opportunity to learn. Along with this, I am also announcing Shubarnau Joyanti Scholarships for the youth of Bangladesh.

Friends, Bangobandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rohman ji had said-

“Bangladesh Etihashe, Shadhin Rashtro, Hishebe TK Thakbe Banglake Dabiye Rakhte Pare, Aimon Kono Shokti Nei” Bangladesh will remain independent.

No one has enough power to keep Bangladesh under control. This declaration of Bongobandhu was also a warning to those who opposed the existence of Bangladesh, and also believed in the power of Bangladesh. I am happy that Bangladesh is showing its strength in the world under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina ji. Those people who had reservations about the creation of Bangladesh, those who feared the existence of Bangladesh, Bangladesh have proved them wrong. Friends

, With

us Kazi Nazrul Islam and Gurudev Robindronath Thakur are inspired by the same heritage.

Gurudev had said –

Kaal Nai,
Amader Haate;

Karakari Kore Tai,
Shabe Found;

Delay
karo nahi, shehe, kobhu

That is, we do not have time to lose, we have to move forward for change, now we can not be late. This applies equally to both India and Bangladesh.

For our crores of people, for their future, for our war against poverty, for the fight against terror, our goals are one, so our efforts should be united in the same way. I am confident that India and Bangladesh will progress together at a fast pace.

Once again, on this auspicious occasion, I extend my best wishes to all the citizens of Bangladesh and thank you very much from the heart.

Bharot Bangladesh Moitri Chirojibi Hokh.

With these wishes, I conclude.

JO Bangla!
Joy Hind!

DS / SH
(Release ID: 1707914)