The National Revolution and Solidarity Day is being observed on Friday across the country in a befitting manner.
On this day 50 years ago, Bangladesh began a new journey through a joint revolution of the members of the armed forces and mass people emerging from a state of chaos and uncertainty.
On November 7, 1975, the streets of the capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country drew thousands of people to celebrate the remarkable moment for the subsequent emergence of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman as a statesman.
The nation once again heard him on radio saying "I am Zia speaking", the call sign like the voice it had heard by the people at the onset of the 1971 Liberation War. His presence revived in people's minds the memories that inspired them to fight for the country's independence in 1971.The people breathed a sigh of relief – as if a heavy stone had been lifted from their chests.
Spontaneous processions of revolution and victory filled the streets. The air rang with applause, chants, and slogans as soldiers and civilians embraced one another, shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand.
"Soldiers and people are brothers; long live Bangladesh; long live Major General Ziaur Rahman; join hands - soldiers and people, unite!" were the slogans they chanted in chorus reflecting the hearts of soldiers and the people.
The historic November 7 thus became a turning point in Bangladesh's history, being observed as the National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
Through this revolution, Bangladesh began a new journey, slowly emerging from a state of chaos and uncertainty. On this day in 1975, the then Chief of Army Staff Major General Ziaur Rahman broke the country free from the web of geopolitical, expansionist, and neo-colonial conspiracies.
In a critical moment of national crisis, patriotic revolutionary soldiers and civilians overthrew the conspirators through a mass uprising and placed General Zia in leadership.
After November 7, 1975, the evolution of self-dignified, distinctive Bangladeshi culture and identity began. A new dawn of hope heralded and the new hero of that dawn was the son of history— Ziaur Rahman.
Over the years, there have been many conspiracies to erase his memory, but breaking through those plots, Zia secured a permanent place in the people’s hearts.
Marking the day, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has taken an elaborate programme to observe the historic National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
The programme includes hoisting of the party flag at the BNP Central Office in the capital’s Naya Paltan and at party offices across the country.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir along with standing committee members and leaders of Dhaka City units of the party and associate and front organizations will pay homage to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman by placing wreaths at his grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 10:00 am.
Besides, a procession will be brought out from BNP Central Office in Naya Paltan at 3:00 pm. BNP Secretary General will inaugurate the procession.
Courtesy: BSS
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
