December 16, marks the 52nd Victory Day of Bangladesh, a solemn occasion observed by Bangladeshis worldwide. On this momentous day, people from all corners of the globe come together to pay homage to the valiant efforts of over three million freedom fighters. Additionally, heartfelt honour is extended to the half a million women who, with unwavering courage, sacrificed not only their lives but also their dignity during the nine-month-long bloodshed war. This historic struggle, led by the indomitable Commander Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the revered father of the nation, ultimately secured the precious gift of freedom for the people of Bangladesh. Bangabandhu had the support of all Bengalis. His famous speech on March 7, 1971 declared, “This time, our struggle is for our freedom. This time, our struggle is for our independence. Joy Bangla.”  The speech made the whole Bengali nation realise the importance of an independent Bangladesh. The barbaric Pakistani army launched a heinous attack on people in Dhaka on March 25 in 1971. The next day, on March 26, our independence was declared and our Liberation War began. After nine months of fighting by our valiant freedom fighters, with the help of Indian armed forces, we defeated the Pakistan army. On December 16, 1971, Pakistani forces led by General Niazi finally surrendered in Dhaka. The new nation of Bangladesh was born. It was a great triumph against a brutal occupying force that had unleashed a reign of terror, killing nearly 3 million Bangladeshis during the 9-month war. The day is an opportunity for citizens to express their gratitude to those who fought for the country's independence and to instil a sense of pride in the younger generation.

 The objective of the Liberation War was the freedom of the people of then East Pakistan who must remain at the poverty level in comparison with the people of West Pakistan. Bangabandhu’s dream was a poverty-free Bangladesh. In his historic March 7 speech, Bangabandhu gave a clarion call for economic freedom in his historic speech. This call embraced social, economic and political freedom. Bangabandhu's development approach and the outlook on ethical finance in independent Bangladesh were embodied in the country's founding of the First Five Year Plan (1973-1978). In line with the need of the war-devastated and highly exploited inhabitants, the plan document rightly targets the reduction of poverty, expansion of essential consumption items, and attaining self-sufficiency in food-grain production as the key objectives. The necessity of promoting agriculture was rightly perceived by the Father of the Nation as the supplier of food to the people, provider of the income sources of the majority of the population, and supplier of raw materials to the industrial sector of the newly independent country.

Regarding focal areas of developmental goals, the primary feature of Bangabandhu's post-independent domestic policies was to empower marginalised sections covering farmers and the inhabitants of the rural areas. The rural economy received the focal point of economic growth of the country in the planning documents.  It was reflected that agricultural development was then the most important prerequisite for sustainable and inclusive development of the country. Challenging initiatives were undertaken for rebuilding the agricultural infrastructure, ensuring the supply of agricultural equipment on an emergency basis at concessional rates, ensuring an adequate supply of seed, addressing loan default against farmers filed during the Pakistan period, ensuring fair prices for agro-products, supporting arrangements for poor and marginal farmers etc. Today, Bangladesh is moving ahead with the target of becoming a developed economy and walking on the path of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman thanks to the pragmatic leadership of her daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She brought back back Bangabandhu’s inclusive development strategy which focused on benefiting the disadvantaged. Bangladesh continues to progress on its financial inclusion goals by implementing initiatives designed to reach the financially excluded, particularly the poor. Here, banks in Bangladesh are at the forefront of the war on poverty.

We've reached many milestones, especially in various socioeconomic sectors. But a true tribute to Victory Day is not about uncritically romanticising our journey as a nation, but about being reasonably proud of our achievements while making a conscious effort to understand and learn from our mistakes and failures. If the priority after December 16, 1971, was to start nation-building, the time has come to embark on a journey of nation-building in light of our founding principles. Only then we can truly honour the legacy of all those who gave their lives for our freedom.  The Victory Day of Bangladesh is a wave of joy which affects every citizen equally. Today we remember the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. A big salute to all our freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. We wouldn't be able to enjoy this freedom if it wasn't for you.

Salute to the brave army and people of Bangladesh. Wishing everyone a very Happy Victory Day.