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President M Abdul Hamid on Sunday felicitated Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina on her 40th homecoming day and praised her contribution to country’s democracy, development and public welfare through epoch-making programmes.
“Despite different obstacles, the country is moving towards tremendous development due to pro-people welfare activities and the far-sighted leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” the President said in a message marking the premier’s return to her motherland Bangladesh 39 years back, on May 17 in 1981, after six years in exile.
According to BSS, President Hamid said the homecoming of Sheikh Hasina was a milestone to resume the journey of democracy in Bangladesh which smoothed the path to establish spirit of Liberation War, values of Independence and democracy.
He said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members were assassinated by anti-liberation forces on the fateful night of August 15, 1975.
During that period, Bangabandhu’s two daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana who were visiting West Germany, escaped but could not return to the country, he mentioned.
Abdul Hamid said they had to spend life in a very adverse situation in exile in London and Delhi for 6 years keeping the grief of losing parents, brothers and other relatives in heart.
The President said Sheikh Hasina was elected president of Bangladesh Awami League unanimously in her absence at the national council of the party on February 14-16 in 1981.
“It was a far-sighted decision of the then Bangladesh Awami League leaders,” Abdul Hamid, a veteran politician and parliamentarian, observed.
Recalling her homecoming day on May 17, 1981, President Hamid said thousands of people thronged to the then Dhaka International Airport to welcome Sheikh Hasina amid inclement weather.
He said Sheikh Hasina, after coming to her motherland, initiated movement to restore democracy in the country and in the process victory of democracy was achieved and autocracy overthrown through mass-movement of 90’s.
The President said Bangladesh Awami League achieved landslide victory in the general election on June 12, 1996 and formed the government under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
He said during that tenure, Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord was signed to stop the long conflicts between ethnic groups and Bangalees and Ganges Water Sharing Treaty was signed with neighbouring India.
Under her (Sheikh Hasina) leadership, 14-party alliance came to power on December 29, 2008 general election and took different initiatives for the welfare of people, he added.
He said verdict of the trial of Bangabandhu assassination case was executed while the country got worldwide appreciations for various reasons including establishing democracy and human rights, development in agriculture, health, women empowerment, electricity, information technology, rural infrastructure and overseas employment.
The President said Awami League led alliance came to power again on January 4, 2014 national election and completed execution of the war criminals trial, established legitimate rights in maritime boundary with Myanmar and settlement of longstanding enclave problems with India for the sake of the country and its people.
He said the alliance under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina created history by coming to power on December 30, 2018 national election for the third consecutive term.
Highlighting different development projects, including Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and Padma Bridge, being implemented under the present government, Hamid said Sheikh Hasina has taken ‘Vision 2021’ and ‘Vision 2041’ programmes to turn the country into a happy and prosperous Sonar Bangla.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the President said, Bangladesh is now being applauded worldwide for combating the global pandemic coronavirus.
“We will be able to contain the COVID-19 in Bangladesh under her strong leadership, In Sha Allah,” he said.
President Abdul Hamid wished her and her family members long life, prosperity and continuous success of her government.