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DHAKA, May 20, 2023 (BSS) - Agriculture Minister Dr M Abdur Razzak today said 
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's homecoming on May 17, 1981 paved the way to 
reinstating the spirit of Liberation War, restoring democracy as well as 
bringing the country back to its track of development.
 
"The country appeared in the global arena as a role model of development 
which would have been impossible if Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did not 
return to the country in 1981. Following Bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina has given 
social, cultural and economic freedom to the people of the country," he said.

The minister was addressing a discussion titled 'Your homecoming has given us 
back Bangabandhu's vision of development and philosophy of peace', organised 
by Bangabandhu Parishad at Jatiya press club today marking Prime Minister 
Sheikh Hasina's Homecoming Day.
 
Presided over by Dhaka University former Vice-Chancellor (VC) and Bangabandhu 
Parishad acting President Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, the programme was 
also addressed,among others, by Prime Minister's former Information Affairs 
Advisor Senior journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, noted writer and historian 
Muntasir Mamun and Bangabandhu Parishad General Secretary Professor ABM 
Faruk. 

Abdur Razzak said Bangabandhu's homecoming is very significant for his 
contribution to all areas including the country's economy, roads, per capita 
income and constitution. And Sheikh Hasina's homecoming is similarly 
significant as she has taken the country to the position which has been a 
dream for the people for year, he added.

If the development spree of the country continue in the same speed, the 
country would be a developed country even by at least 4-5 years before the 
targeted deadline '2041', he said, adding: "Sheikh Hasina's magical 
development prove a number of diplomats and economist's wrong who predicted 
the country will not be able to run after independence."

Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique said as soon as Sheikh Hasina returned to the 
country, the spirit of the Liberation War came back which was in dark for 
years.

On May 17, 1981, the day Sheikh Hasina returned, the 'Jay Bangla' slogans 
were heard for the first time in the capital city Dhaka, which had not been 
heard since 1975, said Professor Arefin.

On her first speech, Sheikh Hasina said, "I have come to free you from 
autocratic military rule, not to become Awami League president." Since then, 
wherever she was, she has always been working relentlessly for the prosperity 
and development of the people of this country holding the spirit of the great 
Liberation War," said Prof Arefin.

Recalling some historical events, he said Bangabandhu's daughter Prime 
Minister Sheikh Hasina came to the present state and brought the country to 
such a prestigious position through overcoming various ups and downs, and 
number of obstacles.

Prof Arefin, also chairman of the board of directors of Bangladesh Sangbad 
Sangstha (BSS), called upon everyone to be united and keep supporting the 
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina holding the spirit of Liberation War. 

In the discussion, noted writer and historian Muntasir Mamun said, "When 
Sheikh Hasina returned to the country, I was pretty sure that the wheel of 
the liberation war will continue to run again even though she was not 
involved in politics."

Sheikh Hasina reinstated the spirit of Liberation War and brought the country 
back to its track which was destroyed after the assassination of Father of 
the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 by anti Liberation war 
forces, he added.
 
Teachers, researchers, journalists and different socio-cultural personnel 
took part in the discussion.