Today marks the jubilant commemoration of the 104th birth anniversary of the esteemed Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, alongside the observance of National Children's Day 2023. This momentous occasion resonates with profound reverence as the nation honours the visionary leader whose indomitable spirit secured their freedom and forged a sovereign homeland where liberty flourishes.

Born on this day in 1920, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman emerged as the vibrant cornerstone of the Bangalee community, hailed as the mastermind behind the inception of independent Bangladesh. He stands unparalleled in the annals of history as the epitome of Bangalee greatness, having heralded a new era of emancipation and progress.

Originating from a revered Muslim household in the quaint village of Tungipara within the precincts of Gopalganj sub-division, now district, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the cherished offspring amidst four daughters and two sons of his esteemed parents, Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and Saira Khatun.

Leader, legend, Bangabandhu--is any attribution enough for him? Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the epitome of patriotism, and the father of the nation, is a name inseparable from the name Bangladesh. The nation remembers him solemnly on his 103rd birthday, just a few days before celebrating the nation's 50th birthday itself.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation is the architect of this independent Bangladesh. He made Bangladesh a sovereign state in December 1971 through a heroic war of nine months against Pakistani colonial rule. In an age of decline of democracy, he firmly established democracy in one of the least developed countries of Asia.

The birth of Bangladesh is not an accident in history. His historic declaration on March 7 in a big rally at Ramna Race Course Maidan was: “Our struggle this time is for freedom. Our struggle this time is for independence.” It created a revolutionary wave from Tenaf to Tetullia that encouraged Bengali people of all religions and political parties to take part in the Liberation War. 

But the way Bangabandhu created Bangladesh was not full of roses. In his short life, he attained power through elections and led mass movements. He was elected lawmaker and initiated movements against the autocratic Pakistani government that led him to spend a long time in jail. In 1948, a movement was initiated to make Bengali one of the state languages of Pakistan. This can be termed the first stirrings of the movement for an independent Bangladesh. 

During the language movement, Sheikh Mujib was arrested and sent to jail. During the blood-drenched language movement in 1952, he was again arrested. But he provided inspiring leadership of the movement from inside the jail. In 1954, he was elected a member of the then-East Pakistan Assembly. In 1955, he was elected a member of the Pakistan Constituent Assembly and was again made a minister when the Awami League formed the provincial government in 1956. 

Our Bangabandhu did not, however, climb to leadership overnight. With pure passion, organising skills and a winsome mentality, he became a great leader and established an extraordinary political image of himself. He was a true democrat, and he employed, in his struggle for securing justice and fair play for the Bengalees, only democratic and constitutional weapons until the last moment. 

Soon after General Ayub Khan staged a military coup in Pakistan in 1958, Sheikh Mujib was arrested once again and a number of cases were instituted against him. He was released after 14 months in prison but was re-arrested in February 1962. In fact, he spent the best part of his youth behind prison bars.

Our Bangabandhu was born on 17 March 1920 in a middle-class family at Tungipara in Gopalganj district. Standing 5 feet 11 inches, he was taller than the average Bengalee. Nothing pleased him more than being close to the masses, knowing their joys and sorrows and being part of their travails and triumphs. He spoke their soft language but in articulating their sentiments his voice was powerful and resonant. He knew his people well and loved them so much from his heart that he was always ready to do anything for them. During a famine in 1943, he distributed rice from his father's stockpile among the needy keeping his dad in the dark. 

Although simple at heart, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a man of cool nerves and great strength of mind. After the independence, Bangladesh soon began moving on the road to progress and the people found their long-cherished hopes and aspirations being gradually realized under his charismatic leadership. 

But conspirators were not sitting idle. So, at this critical juncture of the nation’s journey, his life was cut short by a group of anti-liberation reactionary forces who, in a pre-dawn move on 15 August 1975, not only assassinated him but 23 of his family members and close associates. 

This great leader didn’t die- still alive in millions of hearts. For his uncompromising and supremely principled leadership, he will always be remembered by the people of this nation as they are enjoying freedom for the sacrifice he made. He will continue to inspire the youths and the elderly alike to love their country and work for its betterment.