Zia slowed country's economic growth
Says Prof Kabir Chowdhury
Military ruler Ziaur Rahman played the key role to slow the pace of economic progress of the country after the War of Liberation, said National Professor Kabir Chowdhury yesterday.
"We could have established a prosperous Bangladesh, if a conspirator like Ziaur Rahman had not assumed state power," he said.
Prof Kabir was presiding over a programme organised by Bangladesh Foundation for Development Research (BFDR) in the city's National Museum yesterday where a memorial speech titled “Bangabandhu in achieving economic freedom” was delivered.
During last 40 years, the nation faced numerous problems, hindering the country's economic progress. For this, people are yet to enjoy the type of economic freedom which freedom fighters and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman dreamt of, he said.
"Despite the huge number of troubles, we already came a long way. But the desired destination is still a long way off," he added.
He urged all to work together to establish a prosperous and happy Bangladesh based on the spirit of the War of Liberation.
Delivering the memorial speech, former governor of Bangladesh Bank M Farashuddin Ahmed highlighted different activities initiated by Bangabandhu immediately after the War of Liberation.
The first five-year plan formulated for 1973-78 fiscal years laid emphasis on some specific targets based on the country's situation at that time. These include poverty reduction, increasing rate of GDP growth, arresting the price hike of essentials, increasing per capita income, reducing dependency on foreign aid and accelerating development expenditure rate, he said.
"Sheikh Mujib spent his entire life for the welfare of the people. Now it is our duty to repay," he said.
Bangabandhu introduced Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL), not to establish one-party rule, but to form a national unity, said Farashuddin.
Addressing the programme, BFDR Director General Monaem Sarker said after Bangabandhu's assassination, the ill-motivated section tried to erase his name from Bangladesh's history.
"But it is not possible to write the country's history without Sheikh Mujib," he said.
Many political, cultural and media personalities attended the function.
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