North South University (NSU) organised a discussion session and cultural programme to celebrate Victory Day recently.
The programme titled ‘Victory Day 2021’ was broadcast live on North South University's official Facebook page.
In order to celebrate the day with due dignity, North South University undertook various programmes of Great Victory Day including hoisting of the national flag and laying of wreaths at the National Memorial on 16 December. The Guard of Honor was given by NSU BNCC at the National Memorial to pay homage to the heroic martyrs of the Liberation War. NSU whole campus was decorated with colourful lights for six days as part of the programs of Great Victory Day.
Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, M.P., Honorable Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was present as the Chief Guest. Mr. Azim Uddin Ahmed, Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), NSU was present as the Special Guest. Mr. Asif Munier, Son of martyred intellectual Munier Chowdhury was present as the Guest Speaker. Mr. M. A. Kashem and Mr. Benajir Ahmed, Members, BoT, NSU were present as Guests of Honor. Professor Atiqul Islam, Vice-Chancellor, NSU presided over the program. After the discussion program, there was a cultural program organized by NSU Sangskritik Sangathan (NSUSS) and NSU Cine & Drama Club (NSUCDC).
Speaking as the Chief Guest, Honorable Minister, Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen said, “Those of you who are young, may not know how much deprivation we, the elderly, have suffered. You have heard the story, you have seen the information, how the Bengalis were deprived. We suffered discrimination in many ways including economic, social and linguistic. Due to all these inequalities, Bengalis felt that they cannot stay with them. We are very fortunate to have a leader like Bangabandhu who always thought about the rights of the people of Bangladesh. The greatest contribution of Bangabandhu's life is our independent sovereign Bangladesh and the second contribution is to sow the seeds of dream of a happy and beautiful country in our hearts and minds. Today we have been able to build a developed, prosperous, stable and communal country by embracing his ideals. We are working day and night to ensure food, clothing, shelter, medical and educational services for all. We are fortunate that Bangabandhu's daughter Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is our leader and she also works under the same principles to make Bangabandhu's dream come true. She is not only developing the country, she is also doing two things: one is to achieve unimaginable success, the other is to build a happy and prosperous country by building self-confidence in us. Due to the sincere desire and sincere efforts of this government, unimaginable success has come in the power sector in Bangladesh today and we have become self-reliant in agriculture. All these developments have been possible due to the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”
Guest Speaker, Mr. Asif Munier said, “Today we are celebrating the golden jubilee of victory. Our independence has been achieved through the able leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu and the sacrifice of 3 million martyrs in the war of liberation which includes more than 1000 martyred intellectuals. Today I deeply remember all of them. One of the great achievements of the present government is that the government has started the trial of war criminals. We have to work for the international recognition of the genocide that took place in Bangladesh in 1971. The killers of Bangabandhu and all the war criminals who have fled abroad should be brought back to the country and brought to justice.”
Special Guest, Chairman, BoT, NSU, Mr. Azim Uddin Ahmed said, “If we had not won under the leadership of the father of the nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the strong position we have taken in the world arena today through economic and social development would never have been possible. He was the saviour of the destiny of the helpless and oppressed people of this country. In the meantime, he also said, “All the guidelines of running this country were present in Bangabandhu's speech on 7th March and all the development and progress of this country happened today is all possible for Bangabandhu’s leadership.
Speaking as the Guest of Honor, Member, BoT, NSU, Mr. Benajir Ahmed said, “Today is the day to fulfil our dreams for the people of this country and especially for those of us who were able to participate in the liberation war. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the embodiment of the independence of this country. He was the saviour of the helpless and oppressed people of this country.”
Speaking as the Guest of Honor, Member, BoT, Mr. M. A. Kashem said, “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the greatest Bengali nation of all time, has given us all the directions we need to run our country. If he had not been born, this independent country called Bangladesh would not have been born today.”
Vice-Chancellor of NSU, Professor Atiqul Islam said, “Inspired by the spirit of the Liberation War, we, North South University have continued our efforts to teach the new generation about Bangabandhu and the freedom fighters of Bangladesh.
Before the discussion, all respected guests and participants joined in prayer for the souls of the martyrs who died in our Liberation War.
Among others, Professor Dr. M. Ismail Hossain, Pro Vice-Chancellor of NSU, Prof. ABM Rashedul Hassan, Treasurer, Deans of different schools, Directors of various departments, Department Heads, Senior officials, media representatives, teachers and students were also present at the programme.