What make this man stand out are the courage of his conviction, a tremendous capacity for self-sacrifice and an unflagging determination with which he fought for the rights of a subjugated nation and established them in his lifetime against stunning odds. It was his charisma that made him stand apart from most his political contemporaries. Indeed, the freedom fighters held his image in their hearts as they fought for the country's liberation during those excruciating nine months.

His historic speech on March 7, 1971, changed the course of politics in the then Pakistan in a perceptible way. The liberation war that followed drew its inspiration from the 'voice of thunder' that gave the millions of Bengalees a new sense of direction. It was definitely the turning point in our struggle for establishing our rights. Bangabandhu had that rare quality of internalising the awesome power of the people and radiating it back to the people.

The BBC list includes a galaxy of luminaries who could make any nation proud. There are scientists, literary personalities, an economist, language martyrs, politicians, reformers and vanguards of social and educational movements whose cumulative contributions to the advancement of Bengalees were stupendous. They are all sons and daughter of the soil we as Bangalees can be immensely proud of .

The Daily Star has always been consistent in its portrayal of the great leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. So, the highest public ranking of him in the BBC opinion survey resonates with us.

Finally, we believe the BBC deserves a round of plaudits for undertaking the survey which would definitely help the new generation of Bengalees know about the great souls that we are indebted to for their contribution to our politics, culture, education, literature and social advancement in general.