The historic 7th March speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as part of the world's documentary heritage. UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova made the announcement on Monday at the organisation’s headquarters in Paris, according to a foreign ministry press release issued yesterday. The release said the historic 7th March speech of Bangabandhu has been included in the Memory of the World International Register, a list of world’s important documentary heritage maintained by the UNESCO.

A document to be included in the registrar has to satisfy the UNESCO that the document bears immense significance and forms part of documentary heritage of the world at large, said the release.

The objective of creating the international register is to ensure preservation of, and access to, documentary heritage in various parts of the world.

“The world will now get to know more about our Father of the Nation and our glorious Liberation War”, the release said quoting foreign

minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali.

“The 7th March speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman provided inspiration to the Bengali people in their quest for freedom and emancipation. The speech also energised the entire nation and prepared the people for the forthcoming Liberation struggle,” he said.

“It also served as the ultimate source of inspiration for the countless freedom fighters, who joined the Mukti Bahini. Bangabandhu’s speech is played throughout the country during the various national occasions and continues to reverberate in hearts and minds of the Bengali people. This speech continues to enthral our people and will continue to inspire succeeding generations” he added. Meanwhile, the ruling Awami League (AL) has lauded the UNESCO move as the party’s senior leaders have said that the recognition proves again that the nation had united through the unique and historic 7th March speech of the Father of the Nation and that Bangladesh was liberated under the leadership of Bangabandhu. AL heavyweight commerce minister Tofail Ahmed said they were very happy with the UNESCO deicison. “We are very happy with the UNESCO’s decision. Though it is too late, yet we are delighted. The recognition proves it again that the 7th March speech was unique and one of the greatest speeches in the world,” he said. Another AL heavyweight and health minister Md Nasim termed the UNESCO decision as historic.