Work to establish a happy society: Bangabandhu

December 24, 1972

SWADHIN BANGLA BETAR WORKERS' ROLE LAUDED

Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today makes a fervent appeal to all to work for the establishment of a happy and exploitation-free society on the ashes left by the enemy. He says the lakhs of shaheeds of the Liberation War would never come back. But those toiling people who survived the war must be enabled to enjoy the fruits of independence. He asks all to work in this spirit.

The prime minister speaks at a function at the Gono Bhaban organised by the Swadhin Bangla Betar Karmi Samity, a body of artists, announcers and others who had been connected with the Swadhin Bangla Betar, which used to operate from Mujibnagar during the months of the Liberation War. Appreciating their role in the Liberation War, Bangabandhu says in an emotion-choked voice that they came forward to strengthen the Liberation War when many had not expected that independence would be achieved soon. Recalling that independence was achieved at the cost of much blood, the prime minister says, "When I was imprisoned, you stood by the freedom fighters."

Revealing a hitherto undisclosed chapter of the struggle, Bangabandhu says during the last days of non-cooperation movement he asked Dr Nurullah of Dhaka Engineering University to produce a radio transmitter which he would use for giving his last call to the people. The transmitter was produced. The prime minister also says on that fateful night of March 25, 1971, he had no other way but to pass on his last message to Chittagong. 

SOURCES: December 25, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Dainik Ittefaq.