Abdus Salam urges youth to uphold true history, merit in nation building
DHAKA, March 25, 2026 (BSS) – Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator and valiant Freedom Fighter Md. Abdus Salam today urged the youth to take the mantle of nation-building by combining patriotism, merit, and honest leadership, while strictly upholding the true history of independence.
“The independence of Bangladesh was not achieved through any compromise or as a gift, but was snatched through a bloody and tough war,” he said while addressing a memorial meeting marking the "Genocide Day" at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College in the capital’s Bailey Road area.
Highlighting the historical context of the struggle, Abdus Salam noted that the path to sovereignty was paved by years of resistance against oppression.
He described the ‘Black Chapter’ of March 25, 1971, when Pakistani forces launched a barbaric massacre against unarmed Bengalis.
Recalling the horrors of that night, he specifically cited the indiscriminate killings and destruction carried out at Rajarbagh Police Lines, Dhaka University, and Jagannath Hall as a dark period in the nation's history.
Recounting his personal experiences as a student activist, Salam said he was involved in the preparations for the liberation struggle from his student days.
He shared a poignant detail regarding the severe lack of weapons at the time, noting how students attempted to manufacture bombs using chemicals collected from school laboratories to counter the occupying forces.
He stated that witnessing the atrocities of the March 25 massacre served as a definitive turning point, leading him to take a solemn oath to continue the struggle until victory was achieved.
He urged the new generation to take the responsibility of fulfilling those aspirations and protecting the independence earned by their predecessors.
"We have liberated this country, and the responsibility to protect this independence now lies with the younger generation," Salam said.
"To take the nation forward, our youth must embrace the country's culture, people, and heritage, and combine patriotism and merit with honest leadership," he added.
The administrator recalled the contribution of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to Liberation War and paid rich tributes to his memory. He also paid deep respect to all martyrs of the Liberation War.
The programme, organised by the Central Cultural Committee of the institution, concluded with the DSCC Administrator distributing prizes among the winners of various competitions held to mark Genocide Day.
