When thunder roars at Race Course

The nation is set to observe the historic March 7 today, commemorating the landmark speech of Bangabandhu.

This year, the observance will be more significant as the nation is getting ready to celebrate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 17.

The landmark fiery speech inspired the Bangalees to prepare for the Liberation War.

The war began 18 days after the speech, when the Pakistan Army launched "Operation Searchlight" against unarmed Bangalee civilians, intellectuals, students, politicians, and armed personnel.

On October 30 in 2017, the UNESCO recognised the historic speech as part of the world's documentary heritage.

It has been included in the Memory of the World International Register, a list of world's important documentary heritage maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

On March 7, Bangabandhu in his historic speech at a mammoth rally in the then Race Course Maidan, now Suhrawardy Udyan, in the capital directed the freedom-loving Bangalees for waging a decisive struggle against the Pakistan occupation forces.

In the 19-minute speech from 4.23 pm before millions of people of former East Pakistan, Bangabandhu in unequivocal term said, "We spilled our blood…we are ready to shed more blood, the people of the country shall be freed, Inshallah!"

"The struggle this time is for our emancipation, the struggle this time is for our independence."

During his deliberations amid thunderous slogans and applause, he also made a fervent appeal to the roaring people from all walks of life to take preparations for armed struggle against the tyranny, exploitation, subjugation and deprivation by Pakistani military junta with whatever they possessed and transforming every house into a fortress.

The whole nation responded spontaneously to Bangabandhu's call.

The vigorous speech inspired people of all walks of life to prepare for the war, which eventually began after the Pakistani regime on March 25 launched on the unarmed Bangalees the genocide.

After the March 7 speech, people became united under his capable and farsighted leadership to bravely fight for liberating their motherland.

As soon as the Pakistani occupation forces started the genocide on the night of March 25, Bangabandhu declared independence of the motherland and instructed the people to put up strong resistance and fight.

At the instruction of Bangabandhu, the brave nation fought successfully the nine-month war and liberated Bangladesh on December 16.

To mark day, different socio-cultural and political organisations, student and professional bodies have drawn up elaborate programmes, including laying wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu and holding discussions and rallies.

The ruling Awami League has also drawn up different programmes to observe the day.

The party will hoist national and party flags atop the Bangabandhu Bhaban and party offices and place wreaths at Bangabandhu's portrait on the Bangabandhu Bhaban premises at Dhanmondi in the morning.

A discussion will be arranged at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) at 3.30pm.

Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will chair the discussion while party leaders and distinguished personalities will address it.