BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan said that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman was a visionary and courageous statesman who started the first rebellion for the country's independence against the Pakistani occupying forces. Leaving the future of his life, family and children to Allah, he joined the war.
He said this at a discussion organized by BNP on the occasion of the 90th birth anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman Bir Uttam, the announcer of independence, at the IDEB Bhaban in the capital on Tuesday.
Nazrul Islam Khan said that to truly pay homage to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, it is not just a formality, but one must take an oath to implement his ideals and actions in one's own life.
He said, "If we truly respect Shaheed Zia, then we all have to take an oath that we will be patriotic, brave, honest, hardworking and selfless people like him."
Nazrul Islam said, “Even his fiercest opponents could never question Shaheed Zia's honesty. Even as the president, he worked tirelessly every day for the benefit of the country and the people.”
He said, “Shaheed Zia's contribution in making the famine-stricken country self-sufficient in food is undeniable. Under his leadership, food production increased so much that Bangladesh was able to export rice to famine-stricken countries.”
Regarding industrial development in Zia’s tenure, he said, “Closed and destroyed factories were reopened during Shaheed Zia's tenure. Production in one-shift factories started in two and three shifts. During his time, textile mills, fertilizer factories, sugar mills, fertilizer factories and pharmaceutical companies were established.”
He said, "If we do not follow the ideals of Shaheed Zia and do not build our lives accordingly, then celebrating his birthday will become meaningless."
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir delivered the presiding speech at the discussion meeting.
BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, Dr. Abdul Moin Khan, Begum Selima Rahman, BNP vice chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu, BNP chairperson's Advisory Council member advocate Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal and BNP volunteer Affairs Secretary Mir Sarfat Ali Sapu also spoke at the discussion meeting moderated by BNP publicity secretary Sultan Salauddin Tuku.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
