Bangladesh enters its 48th year of independence today. It is as both a cause of celebration as that of an expression of respect for the sacrifices of valiant freedom fighters, martyrs and all classes of people who waged a do or die struggle against the forces of occupation and genocide.

Where there is unity there is always victory, and the 75 million Bangladeshis collectively fought the enemy until the ignominious defeat and surrender of the Pakistani occupation army. Independence is the most glorious and precious possession of our nation. While patriotism is resolute loyalty to one’s native land, love of one’s country is the loftiest virtue.  On the night of March 25, Pakistani military conducted a cowardly attack on the innocent sleeping Dhaka people. They conducted a mass killing at different places in Dhaka including Pilkhana, EPR, Rajarbag Police Lines and Dhaka University along with student hostels and teachers' residences. Early on March 26, Pakistan forces arrested Bengali's unanimous leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from his Dhanmondi residence. He, however, announced the Independence of Bangladesh before being arrested that animated the freedom loving people to participate in the battle field. Later on, they built out and out resistance against the Pakistan forces one by one. They formed a government in exile crowning Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as president, separated the country into several sectors and formed several forces including Mukti Bahini (freedom fighters), Guerilla Bahini and Mujib Bahini to conduct the Liberation War. Finally on December 16 of the year, the nation earned the victory with the sacrifices of three million lives and the supreme honour of thousands of women. It is obviously undeniable that there are a few nations in the world who made such sacrifices for their freedom.

Since Bangladesh became independent, the country has had many attainments that we can be justly proud of. The economy and agriculture have performed outstandingly amid all sorts of weakness and instabilities in the political and governance fronts, by virtue of the never-say-die spirit of the peasants, garments workers, migrant workers and entrepreneurs of the country. The country once denigrated as 'bottomless basket' has now become an emerging and vibrant economy. Bangladesh's successes in various socio-economic indicators, especially in the areas of women's empowerment, reducing maternal and child mortalities, higher enrolment in education, have earned the country laurels as a role model among developing countries. The country with its huge young population has a potential demographic dividend waiting to be harnessed.