On the occasion of March 26, the great Independence and National day of Bangladesh, I extend my heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to all Bangalees living both home and abroad. On this great historic day, I may recall with profound reverence the greatest Bangalee of all times, Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who proclaimed country's Independence on March 26, 1971. Under his visionary leadership, we achieved our long cherished independence through a nine-month long armed struggle. With deep respect, I recall the supreme sacrifices made by our war heroes, the 3 million martyrs and the wounded freedom fighters. I also pay my profound gratitude to the people from all walks of life and especially the members of our Diaspora and the diplomatic front who, during and after our Liberation War, played a vital role in gaining international recognition. I also acknowledge with deep gratitude the enormous contributions of our foreign friends in the emergence of independent Bangladesh. The charismatic leadership of the Father of the Nation united the whole nation like a solid rock under one umbrella. Bangabandhu was not only the leader of the Bangalee but also a forerunner in realizing the rights of the oppressed and deprived people of the world. Bangabandhu, the great architect of our Liberation War dreamt of a happy, prosperous, exploitation free and equitable ‘Sonar Bangla' (Bengal of Gold). His able successor, his daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina aims at becoming an upper middle income country by 2021 and developed country by 2041. She hopes to realize Bangabandhu's dream "Sonar Bangla", a prosperous, exploitation free, just and developed Bangladesh. Now Bangladesh is on a pathway to prosperity. Currently, Bangladesh is marching forward with more than 7.86% GDP growth rate. The number of working women has increased from 6% to 38% in the workforce. Introduction of six months leave, maternity and lactating allowances, establishment of free community clinics are few critical interventions which have lowered maternal mortality by a 67% and infant death by 75%. In the last years, the size of our national budget enlarged about five and half times. On one hand, while Bangladesh is now recognized as a ‘Role Model of Development' on the other, it has been steadily achieving successes, earning many international awards and accolades. As a consequence, the United Nations has recently announced Bangladesh's eligibility for graduation to the status of ‘Developing Country' from ‘Least Developed Country'. By successful launching of Bangabandhu-1 satellite — the first Bangladeshi geostationary communication satellite, we have embarked to communication technology to a new height. I congratulate all Bangladeshi Diaspora in every corner of the world that are contributing to the escalation of the image of Bangladesh. I thank all the members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our Mission abroad who have been working with deep commitment to uphold our national interest across nations. On this historic day of Independence, let us all vow to transform Bangladesh into a prosperous, technology based, developed Sonar Bangla. Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu. May Bangladesh Live Forever. Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, MP
