A slap on critics: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangladesh's graduation to a developing country is a slap on those who forecast that Bangladesh would be a bottomless basket after independence.

"A quarter during the Liberation War asked what the country would achieve after being independent and said it would be a bottomless basket," she said, adding that Bangladesh's progress is a slap in the face of those critics. The premier said this at the inaugural ceremony of a month-long solo art exhibition of celebrated artist Shahabuddin Ahmed at Shilpakala Academy in the capital.

Shilpakala Academy and Ganges Art Gallery, Kolkata (India) in association with the Bangladesh Ministry of Cultural Affairs have organised the exhibition titled "Shanti" (peace) at Gallery No. 2 of National Art Gallery of the Academy.

At the function, the premier unveiled the cover of a book "Amar Muktijuddha", written by Shahabuddin. Sheikh Hasina said a nation is enlightened when it is enriched with education, art and culture.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh lost its way after the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975 as distorted history gives birth to distorted character of the people.

Describing Shahabuddin as a great asset for Bangladesh, the premier said the most important thing is that he is a valiant freedom fighter. "He is a freedom fighter, he portrays it in his works and we feel proud of it," she said. "We want the touch of his brush to continue to sing the glorious history of our Liberation War."

The exhibition, featuring over 30 recent artworks by the maestro, includes portraits of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi along with works of Shahabuddin's famous series like "Freedom Fighter", "Birangona", "Speed" and "Victory".

The exhibition will remain open for all from 11:00am to 8:00pm from Saturday to Thursday, and 3:00pm to 8:00pm on Fridays. The art works were previously displayed at the Ganges Art Gallery, India.