Essence of Bangabandhu
Any discussion on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gets weighted down with superlatives. His unrivalled contribution to the birth of Bangladesh has established Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the father of the Bengali Nation. The moment the grand figure of Bangabandhu rises before us, the question presents itself: What is his relevance today and for the future of Bangladesh? What inspiration can we draw from his life? What radiance can his thought and wisdom shed on our problems? How does his way of life affect our course of action in public affairs? That Bangabandhu is relevant today and for centuries to come is not in doubt at all.
Bangabandhu was a many-sided personality. The outward simplicity of his life and his single-minded devotion to the Bengali Nation cloaked innumerable deep currents of ideas, disciplines, loyalties and aspirations. He was at once revolutionary, politician and social reformer, economist and man of religion, nationalist and internationalist, man of action and dreamer of dreams.
"The struggle now is the struggle for our emancipation; the struggle now is the struggle for our independence. Joy Bangla! Since we have given blood, we will give more blood. Inshaallah (Allah-willing), the people of this country will be liberated...turn every house into a fort. Face (the enemy) with whatever you have." This ever-great speech has uplifted Bangabundhu to Father-Philosopher of the Nation.
Talking on radio even after the army started its crackdown, Bangabandhu declared Bangladesh's independence at midnight of 26 March, 1971: "This may be my last message; from today Bangladesh is independent. I call upon the people of Bangladesh wherever you might be and with whatever you have, to resist the army of occupation to the last. Your fight must go on until the last soldier of the Pakistan occupation army is expelled from the soil of Bangladesh. Final victory is ours."
'Amar shonar Bangla ami tomay bhalobashi' (My Bengal of Gold, I love you) was the frequent phrase of his cerebral animation.
Now is the right time to delve deep into the spirit of Bangabandhu's political vision in the wake of persisting political deterioration.
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