PM Hasina vows to build prosperous Sonar Bangla

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous “Sonar Bangla” in the spirit of independence.

The premier wrote these remarks on the visitor's book of the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar while signing it after paying homage to Liberation War martyrs.

"Today is March 26, the great Independence Day and National Day of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. On this day, I recall with utmost respect the greatest Bangali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” Sheikh Hasina wrote.

"I pay my deep respect to the martyrs of the Liberation War and the mothers and sisters tortured by the Pakistani occupation forces.”

She added: “I recall, with a tired heart, my mother Begum Fazilatunnesa, my three younger brothers, Kamal, Jamal and Russell, and all those who embraced martyrdom by the brutal bullets fired by assassins on August 15, 1975.

"I pay my respects to the four national leaders killed in Dhaka Central Jail. Those who were brutally killed on November 3, 1975.

"On this great day, we [pledge to] build a developed, prosperous Sonar Bangla in the spirit of our pledge-independence. Inshallah (God willing). I extend my greetings to all the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of the great Independence Day and National Day.”

President Mohammed Shahabuddin, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck paid rich tributes to the Liberation War martyrs by placing wreaths at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar on Tuesday morning.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck first placed their wreaths at the altar of the memorial, followed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Afterwards, the president, prime minister and Bhutanese king stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect for the memories of the martyrs of the Liberation War.