PM’s letter to children on Bangabandhu’s birth centenary

Dear little angel,

Love and warm wishes. Convey my salam to your parents and love to your siblings. Warm wishes for your neighbours.

Today is 17th of March. On this day in 1920, a great human being was born. He is my father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

He gifted us this country, Bangladesh. He gave Bengalis the opportunity to identify as a nation. That is why, he is the Father of the Nation.

He sacrificed all comforts and joys of life and struggled to free the underprivileged from hunger and poverty. He went to jail several times. Woes of people deeply pained him. He never hesitated to make sacrifices to establish the rights of the powerless. He became near and dear to sons and daughters of this soil. That is why, he is Bangabandhu.

We are celebrating the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation in 2020. Not only us, but many countries across the world are celebrating his birth centenary -- 'Mujib Borsho'. Sincerest thanks to all.

Dear friend,

Killers took his life. They tried to erase his name from the history of Bangladesh. But they failed. They could not realise that from the stairs of his Road 32 home, Bangabandhu's blood spread all over Bangladesh and gave birth to crores of Mujibs. And that is why, today, people of Bangladesh are wide awake in search of truth. History cannot be erased. Truth cannot be suppressed by falsehood. Today, not only Bangladesh, but the whole world is celebrating the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation. The world has recognised Bangladesh, thanks to his momentous sacrifices.

Precious one,

We have pledged to the Father of the Nation that we will build the "Shonar Bangla" that he dreamt of. And that day is not far. The Father is asleep next to his parents amid the greeneries of Tungipara. May he rest in peace. His Bangladesh is marching forward and will continue to do so.  

We will live with his ideals inscribed in our hearts. People will thrive -- generation after generation -- in his Shonar Bangla. The flag that he gave to us, will remain raised, always.

You must study attentively; develop yourselves to serve the nation and people.

Joy Banglar Joy, Joy Mujiber Joy, Joy Bangabandhur Joy.

Yours truly,

Sheikh Hasina