President wishes long life, good health of Sheikh Hasina
The President said the premier grew up as a politically conscientious person from her childhood
President Md Abdul Hamid today wished long life and good health of Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina and her family on the occasion of her 72nd birth anniversary.
In a message on the eve of the birthday, the President also extended greetings and congratulations to Sheikh Hasina, who is the elder daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib.
He said Sheikh Hasina was born on September 28 in 1947 at Tungipara in Gopalganj.
Born in a political family, she grew up as a politically conscientious person from her childhood, he added.
The President said the premier was involved with politics of Chhatra League since her student life and she had actively participated in anti-Pakistan movements.
In spite of being the daughter of Father of the Nation, her life was never smooth, he said.
Abdul Hamid said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members were assassinated by anti-liberation forces on the fateful night of August 15, 1975.
During that period, Bangabandhu's two daughters — Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana — who were staying in the then West Germany, escaped the assassination, he mentioned.
Abdul Hamid said they had to spend life in a very adverse situation in exile in London and Delhi for six years keeping the grief of losing parents, brothers and other relatives in heart.
He said Sheikh Hasina was elected president of Bangladesh Awami League unanimously at the national council of the party on February 14-16 in 1981.
Overcoming different hurdles, she returned home after a long exile on May 17 in 1981, he said.
The President said after coming to her motherland, Sheikh Hasina initiated a movement to restore democracy in the country and in the process victory of democracy was achieved and autocracy was overthrown through mass-movement of the '90s.
The President said Bangladesh Awami League achieved a landslide victory in the general election on June 12, 1996, and formed the government under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
He said during that tenure, the historic Chattogram Hill Tracts Peace Accord was signed and Ganges Water Sharing Treaty was signed with neighbouring India.
Under her leadership, the 14-party alliance came to power on December 29, 2008, general election and took different initiatives for the welfare of people, he added.
He said verdict of the trial of Bangabandhu assassination case was executed.
The President said Awami League-led alliance came to power again on January 5, 2014, national election. Initiation and completion of execution of the war criminals trial, establishing legitimate rights of Bangladesh in maritime boundary and settlement of longstanding enclave problems and demarcation of land boundary with India and other contribution of Sheikh Hasina for well being of the people will be ever remembered, he added.
He said the alliance under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina came to power again on December 30, 2018, national election and she created history by becoming the prime minister for the third consecutive term.
Abdul Hamid highly appreciated the government's different development initiatives including Padma Bridge, Karnaphuli Tunnel, Metro Rail and Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant projects and launching of the country's first satellite Bangabandhu-I in the space.
He said Sheikh Hasina has taken 'Vision 2021' and 'Vision 2041' programmes and Delta Plan 2100 to turn the country into a happy and prosperous 'Sonar Bangla' as dreamt by Bangabandhu.
The President expressed his optimism that the country will move towards development and progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
