Bangabandhu's challenges, initiatives at country's birth discussed in AL webinar
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
February 03, 2023

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2023
Bangabandhu's challenges, initiatives at country's birth discussed in AL webinar

Bangladesh

UNB
22 November, 2020, 09:00 am
Last modified: 22 November, 2020, 09:05 am

Related News

  • Anti-govt movement can do nothing as people are with AL: Sheikh Hasina
  • It's a death march for Awami League: Mirza Abbas
  • Awami League leaders will never flee from country: Quader
  • AL men flock to Rajshahi Madrasa ground for PM Hasina's rally
  • Govt's days are numbered: Fakhrul

Bangabandhu's challenges, initiatives at country's birth discussed in AL webinar

The webinar organised to discuss Bangabandhu's plans on rebuilding Bangladesh

UNB
22 November, 2020, 09:00 am
Last modified: 22 November, 2020, 09:05 am
Photo: UNB
Photo: UNB

The policies Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman adopted and the challenges he encountered while supporting scores of returnee refugees and rebuilding war-torn Bangladesh were reflected on at a discussion held on Friday night. 

The webinar, organised to discuss Bangabandhu's plans on rebuilding Bangladesh, featured discussions by Mashiur Rahman, Economic Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister, Dr Rounaq Jahan, Visiting Scholar, Columbia University, Syed Badrul Ahsan, senior journalist and columnist, and Hasan Morshed, young writer and researcher. Waseqa Ayesha Khan, Finance and Planning Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League, conducted the session, organised by the party's finance and planning sub-committee.

Dr Rounaq Jahan called upon the young generation to focus on substantial and quality research on Bangabandhu's role in rebuilding post-independence Bangladesh.

Mashiur Rahman, who also worked as a young government officer in a handful of ministries in post-independence Bangladesh, reminisced on that period, saying just after the independence, when Bangabandhu was yet to land in the newly liberated country, the government of India offered them some government officials, known as Civil Administration Liaison Officers, to aid our administration.

"Indian Planning Commission Member Sukhamoy Chakravarty coordinated the issue. Later, they withdrew the officers when they observed that Bangladesh had enough manpower to run the administration," he said.

Moreover, Mashiur said, a segment of Indian armed forces stayed in the country to ensure peace and order. 

"Bangabandhu in a feat of unwavering commitment and courage compelled their armed forces to return to India by requesting Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi," he added.

When the 'unjust demands' and 'imposed decisions' by the World Bank, IMF, and USAID, approaching with relief and loan proposals following the independence, violated the country's interest, Bangabandhu firmly sent them off the table, said Mashiur Rahman.

He said, "Relief management is a tough job to deal with. Through this task, Bangabandhu set off in the independent country's economic aspects. The bank authorities also tried to unjustifiably shift the loan burden on Pakistan to Bangladesh. Then Bangabandhu said, it's due to my call that hundreds of thousands of Bengalis sacrificed their lives. If I call upon them once more, they will starve if necessary. Still, your unjust demands will not be accepted."  

Then Bangabandhu agreed to some proposals for loans that had valid grounds, said Mashiur. Researching land and resources management in China and Russia, Bangabandhu initiated co-operatives, Mashiur added.

"IMF proposed for devaluation in case of relief and loan disbursement. Bangabandhu was forced to accept that proposal. But, his masterstroke was on adding a condition to it and that is the devaluation must be implemented at the time of harvests coming to the market and not before that. He hinged on the fact that product prices turn low at that time. That is why its effect will be comparatively low on the market."

Justifying the nationalization of industries, Mashiur said, "That time 70% of the export came from jute mills. Most mill owners were non-Bengalis. The nationalization was part of the struggle towards freedom because those we obtained independence from were owners of these mills."

Dr Rounaq Jahan said in addition to developing fragile infrastructure in post-independence Bangladesh, Bangabandhu had to set out on recovering the economy as well. 

"Before independence, large industries all belonged to Pakistanis. Then foreign reserves virtually met the bottom. Those running the administration were young."

She said Bangladesh was the first independent country that emerged as a new country breaking free from a post-colonial state system. 

"It was a unique development for that time. Now it became normal owing to our observation of the Soviet Union disintegrating into quite a few nations. But, at our time, the list of quarters not favoring our cause included not just the western world but the third world and Islamic countries as well. This is because they thought it would spark a nationalistic movement in their countries as well," Dr Rounaq said.

Dubbing the rigid stance of the USA as one of the reasons behind the 1974 famine in Bangladesh, she said America was one of the biggest food supplying countries in the world. 

"Though it supplied food to war-torn Bangladesh in 1972, things took a turn for worse in 1973. While Bangladesh approached them for food, they declined. The reason they showed was the export of Jute by Bangladesh to Cuba. That is why Bangladesh suffered a famine in 1974."

"Proving the concern of the World Bank as wrong, local experts chalked out the first five-year plan of the country one year into its independence," said Dr Rounaq, adding, "Youths were at the leadership when Bangladesh just emerged as an independent country. He (Bangabandhu) got only three years and a half. He initiated quite a few policies and some of them didn't work. He dropped them because he was practical. He set out on changing some of his policies."

"The researchers of this generation must subject them to careful analysis. The new generation has to come forward to do research on Bangabandhu and Bangladesh. They have to analyze objectively, with courage and a free mind. Our country is yet to produce quality research on Bangabandhu. The biography that best describes him was also written by none other than himself."

"Despite Bangabandhu's untiring efforts to rebuild Bangladesh, the country slipped into a famine. Had he lived for a few more years, he could himself observe that the country was turning around. But assassins cut his life short," she said.

Hasan Morshed said Bangabandhu virtually started from scratch to rebuild the economy of Bangladesh. 

"He set the shuttle of independent Bangladesh's economy in motion by prioritizing relief and rehabilitation because a flood already took a toll on Bangladesh before the war broke out and ravaged the country. Bangladesh incurred a substantial loss in its agricultural economy in 1969 and 1970 due to the flood. During that period, 65% of the internal production used to come from agriculture," Hasan Morshed said.

"The period between January and June of 1972 was dedicated to rehabilitation. A staggering 4,300,000 houses were built to support the refugees who returned from India. They were supplied with food. This relief distribution was done by involving political activists at the grassroots," he said.

After the first six months, reconstruction was added to economic recovery. Then the budget was announced. The first budget was named Budget for Reconstruction.

Within just one year, 59 miles of rail lines were reconstructed, 82 rail bridges repaired, road and bridges repaired. Mines were cleared from Chittagong port.

Cooperative model was given utmost priority and modern equipment added. Bangabandhu initiated the Coordinated Rural Development project in 1972, incorporating small loan disbursement. Co-operative venture Milk Vita was introduced in 1974.

Senior journalist and columnist Syed Badrul Ahsan said just after the liberation, we required 123 tonnes of rice, 82 tonnes of Boro rice seeds, 30,000 tonnes of fertilizer, and 1,500,000 tonnes of potato seeds, as reported by World Bank.

On 10 January, 1972, the father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman came back to Bangladesh, he said. 

"On January 12, he took the oath as the prime minister of Independent Bangladesh. Apart from chalking out a wide array of plans to rebuild the country, Bangabandhu took up long-term plans for the economic emancipation of Bangladesh, whose benefits Bangladesh is still reaping," said the journalist.

The webinar was aired live on the official Facebook page of Awami League and YouTube. Centre for Research & Information (CRI), the Awami League's research organization, was responsible for overall cooperation in organizing the discussion meeting.

CRI Coordinator Tonmoy Ahmed said, "Different sub-committees of Awami League have discussed some crucial issues as part of regular activities of the party. We have plans to organize webinars of this kind at least twice  a month."

Top News

Bangabandhu / Awami League / webinar

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • International Monetary Fund logo : AP via UNB
    IMF sets time-bound reform agenda as it releases first tranche of loan
  • Shipped Bhola gas to cost higher, yet cheaper than spot LNG
    Shipped Bhola gas to cost higher, yet cheaper than spot LNG
  • January exports rise nearly 6% riding on high-value RMG items
    January exports rise nearly 6% riding on high-value RMG items

MOST VIEWED

  • Bapex calls candidates for job test 9 years after advert!
    Bapex calls candidates for job test 9 years after advert!
  • Photo: Saqlain Rizve
    Bangladeshi university students identified as problematic users of Facebook, internet: Study
  • Bangladesh's GDP growth to stay below pre-pandemic level even in FY27: IMF
    Bangladesh's GDP growth to stay below pre-pandemic level even in FY27: IMF
  • Photo: TBS
    Basecamp launched at Foy’s Lake in Ctg
  • Dhaka isn't safe after midnight: DMP 
    Dhaka isn't safe after midnight: DMP 
  • Picture: Collected
    US Embassy condemns recent incidents of visa fraud

Related News

  • Anti-govt movement can do nothing as people are with AL: Sheikh Hasina
  • It's a death march for Awami League: Mirza Abbas
  • Awami League leaders will never flee from country: Quader
  • AL men flock to Rajshahi Madrasa ground for PM Hasina's rally
  • Govt's days are numbered: Fakhrul

Features

Six Jeep Wranglers and a special XJ Jeep Cherokee set out into the depths of Lalakhal, Sylhet for an experience of a lifetime. Photo: Ahbaar Mohammad

Jeep Life Bangladesh: A club for Jeep owners to harness the power of their vehicles

18h | Wheels
While the Padma bridge in operation is changing the lives of millions in the south for the better, passenger rush to Shimulia ghat died down. Photo: Masum Billah

How are the Shimulia ghat businesses faring after Padma bridge?

20h | Panorama
After so many investments going embarrassingly wrong, as was the case with Sam Bankman-Fried, perhaps tech investors’ preference for less experience will wane. Photo: Bloomberg

Are you the next Steve Jobs? Good luck raising money in 2023

20h | Panorama
An elderly couple's lonely battle to save Dhaka's trees

An elderly couple's lonely battle to save Dhaka's trees

1d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

A proper price formula can help investors to plan big

A proper price formula can help investors to plan big

10h | TBS Round Table
Rumors about Sarika that everyone thinks are true

Rumors about Sarika that everyone thinks are true

8h | TBS Entertainment
Mugging rife in Tejgaon, murder in Wari

Mugging rife in Tejgaon, murder in Wari

11h | TBS Current Affairs
What secrets are hidden behind Adani's wealth?

What secrets are hidden behind Adani's wealth?

9h | TBS Stories

Most Read

1
Bapex calls candidates for job test 9 years after advert!
Bangladesh

Bapex calls candidates for job test 9 years after advert!

2
Leepu realised his love for cars from a young age and for the last 40 years, he has transformed, designed and customised hundreds of cars. Photo: Collected
Panorama

'I am not crazy about cars anymore': Nizamuddin Awlia Leepu

3
Photo: Collected
Energy

8 Ctg power plants out of production

4
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo
Economy

IMF approves $4.7 billion loan for Bangladesh, calls for ambitious reforms

5
Photo: Collected
Court

Japanese mother gets guardianship of daughters, free to leave country

6
Fund cut as Dhaka's fast-track transit projects on slow spending lane
Infrastructure

Fund cut as Dhaka's fast-track transit projects on slow spending lane

EMAIL US
[email protected]
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2023
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - [email protected]

For advertisement- [email protected]