Bangladesh will ensure democracy, equity, justice
PM tells foreign friends
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday expressed her steadfast resolve to live up to the expectation of the international community by upholding the principles and values of equity, democracy, social justice, inclusive development and rule of law for which Bangladesh was born 41 years ago.
The world acknowledges Bangla-desh as a country where moderation and tolerance are practiced, she said.
"We are steadfast in our ende-avour to live up to your expectations and turn Bangladesh into a country that you had envisioned while extending your support in 1971," she added.
The prime minister was addressing a gala ceremony of conferring the 'Bangladesh Liberation War Honour' and 'Friends of Liberation War Honour' to foreign friends and institutions for their outstanding contribution to the country's liberation war.
A total of 60 individuals and two institutions were given the honour at a function at Bangabandhu Inter-national Conference Centre in this phase under a plan taken by the government in 2011 to honour more than 500 foreign friends and institutions.
The prime minister availed the occasion as an opportunity to extend the country's Victory Day greetings to the foreign friends.
"Bangladesh will celebrate the 41st anniversary of its Victory Day tomorrow, which marks the victory for foreign friends as well," she said yesterday.
"On this occasion, we are offering you, the nation's deepest sense of gratitude for what you have done towards attainment of statehood by Bangladesh."
"Our tribute epitomises the sentiment of an indebted nation, love of its people and it's the manifestation of how deeply we value our friendship," she said.
Hasina said this grand congregation exemplifies the strength and beauty of amity.
"This is also a rare opportunity for our people particularly the young generation to know and learn about their foreign friends and unsung heroes, many of whom worked behind the scene for our independence," she said.
The support of the foreign friends came at a critical juncture when the country's freedom-loving innocent people were trying to ward off the wrath of a ruthless modern occupation army, Hasina said.
"Our fault, we stood up against discrimination and fought for a just cause, self-determination," she said.
It was immensely emboldening to find the majority of the world community on our side in our trying time, Sheikh Hasina said.
"We knew that we were not alone, our foreign friends were out to helping us. It was such a source of inspiration," she said.
"In fact, it was our foreign friends who inspired people all over the globe and played the lead role in mobilising the world opinion in our favour," she added.
The prime minister said, "The just struggle for our emancipation received significant boost from their invaluable contribution and their intervention helped change the approach of many countries which were initially not so sympathetic to our aspiration but later paid heed to our saga of sorrow and humiliation."
"We are proving that we are worthy of the trust and confidence you had reposed on us, and we believe that our foreign friends are the equal partners of our accomplishments," she said.
The contribution of foreign friends is immeasurable and it cannot be repaid, Hasina said adding that it was purely a selfless act which would serve as glaring examples for the humanity and the posterity.
“It would not have mattered anything to many of you had Bangladesh not become independent. Still you stepped forward, provided us moral, spiritual and material support. You simply listened to your heart, rose in protest against the atrocities perpetrated by the occupation army," she maintained.
Ambassador Jagadish C Sharma, on behalf of the recipients, also spoke on the occasion.
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