DHAKA, Dec 2, 2021 (BSS) - President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages, greeting members of Bangladesh Army on the occasion of the golden jubilee of the Bangladesh Army to be celebrated tomorrow.

     In his message, the President said that the Bangladesh Army has a glorious history of service to the country since its inception.

     He said on the night of March 25, 1971, the members of the Bengali Army serving in the then Pakistan Army responded to the call of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and started a nationwide armed struggle.

     In the bloody struggle of nine months, 1,533 fearless heroic members of this force have set a unique example of patriotism by sacrificing themselves, the head of the state added.

     Besides, 125 heroic members of this force were martyred for maintaining world peace, he said, adding: "On this day I remember them with deep respect and seek eternal peace of their departed souls."

     Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said: "On the occasion of the golden jubilee of the Bangladesh Army, I extend my sincere greetings and congratulations to all the members of this force."

     With due respect, the premier recalled the greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, with whose strong leadership and great sacrifice the people of Bangladesh have found an independent and sovereign state.

     She also paid respects to the four national leaders, 30 lakh martyrs and 2 lakh tortured mothers and sisters of the great liberation war.

     She remembered all the martyrs of the army who sacrificed themselves in the service of the motherland.

     In the war of liberation, 1,533 brave fighters of the army were martyred, she said, adding that responding to the call of the Father of the Nation, on March 25, 1971, the members of the Bengali army plunged into armed struggle.

     They snatched the victory of Bangladesh through a nine-month bloody war led by the Father of the Nation, she added.
     
     After winning the 2008 elections, the Awami League government formulated the Forces Goal 2030 in the light of the Defense Policy of Bangabandhu, she said, adding that the government has taken all necessary steps to implement it.

     "The modern army that we have today is a real reflection of all the steps we have taken," she continued.

     In addition to protecting the independence and sovereignty of the country, the army has made significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the country in the last 50 years, she said.

     She further added that the Army is working diligently to ensure infrastructural development, education and medical services across the country.

     On the golden jubilee of the Bangladesh Army, both the president and the premier wished continued prosperity and welfare of all the members of this force and their families.