The homecoming day of Bangladesh Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was observed Thursday in a befitting manner. On May 17 in 1981, Sheikh Hasina returned home from India after nearly six years in exile following the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members on Aug 15, 1975. Bangabandhu’s two daughters - Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana - survived the carnage as they were in abroad at that time.
The capital was turned into a city of procession as the countrymen welcomed Sheikh Hasina, braving storms and heavy rainfall. The then Kurmitola International Airport and Sher-e-Banglanagar turned into a human sea to welcome her.
Sheikh Hasina was elected Bangladesh Awami League president in her absence during the party’s national council session on Feb 14-16 in 1981. Returning home, she started her struggle in retaining people’s rights, lost after the assassination of Bangabandhu.
In doing so, she had to overlook red-eyes of the military rulers by risking her life. For her pro-people efforts, she became recognised as the daughter of democracy.
In her long political career, Sheikh Hasina helped Bangladesh Awami League win power in 1996, 21 years after the assignation of Bangabandhu. The Bangladesh Awami League returned to power in 2008 under her dynamic leadership and continued office for the consecutive second time through the 2014 general election.
The country also elevated to developing country status from the least developed status this year under her prudent leadership.
President Md. Abdul Hamid issued a message, marking Homecoming Day of Sheikh Hasina. She has immense contribution to the development, progress and flourishing of democracy in Bangladesh, he said in his message.
“The country is moving ahead because of her farsighted and strong leadership and people-oriented activities,” he said. “Sheikh Hasina has taken Vision 2021 and Vision 2041 programmes to turn the country into a happy and prosperous Sonar Bangla,” he added.
The President said the programmes taken by Sheikh Hasina for development of the country and establishing democracy will remain everlasting in the history of Bangladesh. Hamid wished her and her family members long life, prosperity and continuous success of her government.
He described the recent launching of the country’s first satellite Bangabandhu Satellite-1 as milestone progress of the present government.
