Nation to observe historic March 7 tomorrow

Bangladesh is going to observe the historic March 7 tomorrow, commemorating the landmark speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman -- touted as an indirect declaration of the country's independence in 1971.

On October 30 in 2017, UNESCO recognised the historic speech as part of the world's documentary heritage as Bangabandhu inspired Bangalees to prepare for Liberation War.

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

On March 7, 1971, Bangabandhu in his historic speech at a mammoth rally in the then Race Course Maidan -- now Suhrawardy Udyan -- in Dhaka directed freedom-loving Bangalees to wage a decisive struggle against the Pakistani junta.

In the 19-minute extempore speech before millions of people of the then East Pakistan, Bangabandhu in unequivocal term said, "We shed blood... we're ready to shed more blood, people of this country shall be freed, InshAllah!"

"Ebarer shongram amader muktir shongram, ebarer shongram shadhinotar shongram" -- the great leader and the greatest Bangalee of all times went on to add.