Despite great power rivalry, Bangabandhu navigated the country's international relations in a direction that still works as a guiding principle of foreign policy, said foreign minister on Saturday.
With his visionary leadership, Dr AK Abdul Momen said, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's journey for autonomy and independence.
He was addressing a webinar styled 'Bangabandhu and Bangladesh: An Epic Nation's Emergence and Emancipation' hosted by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) as the chief guest.
"In leading Bangladesh towards an independent nation," he said, "Bangabandhu nourished the innate Bengali nationalism through political struggle against the oppressive state of Pakistan."
The primary goals of Bangabandhu's foreign policy were to be in a big league of friendly countries, attain recognition for the newly independent country and ensure membership of international organisations, the minister observed.
As the special guest, state minister for planning Dr Samsul Alam said Bangabandhu not only acted for the nation's emergence and emancipation but also provided post-emergence invaluable guidelines for its people to materialise his long-cherished dream of building a Sonar Bangla.
"In all aspects or fields of Bangladesh, Bangabandhu has left his marks. His contributions before and after independence of Bangladesh, all remain equally noble and important" he added.
Mr Alam noted that typical of his visionary leadership, Bangabandhu established more institutions aimed at progress for Bangladesh, thus preparing the basis of a developed future for the nation.
BIISS chairman Ambassador M Fazlul Karim presided over the webinar while BIISS director Maj Gen Md Emdad Ul Bari general delivered the Welcome Remarks.
Dr Syed Anwar Husain, Bangabandhu Chair Professor at Bangladesh University of Professionals, and Dr Atiur Rahman, Bangabandhu Chair Professor at University of Dhaka, presented papers during the programme.
In his welcome remarks, Mr Bari says the saga of Bangladesh is an inevitable part of the story of a man named Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who loved his people, who sacrificed his life for a country, the country he named 'Bangladesh'.
"Bangabandhu might have disappeared physically but his sacrifice for this nation and aspirations towards a Golden Bengal will live forever and inspire our generations who are working relentlessly and collectively to realise the dream of Golden Bengal, defying all odds."
Meanwhile, Mr Karim said, Bangabandhu's visions and ideas have been encompassing Bangladesh towards materialising his visionary ideas. Bangabandhu's belief of emancipation and social justice for the down-trodden live today is an exemplary motivation for generations to come."
"In fact, very few people in history can be credited with accomplishing what Bangabandhu has accomplished, marked a new country on the world map, established his life-long dream of independent Bangladesh."
In the webinar, the minister launched a book on Bangabandhu published by the BIISS titled 'Bangabandhu and Bangladesh: An Epic of a Nation's Emergence and Emancipation'.
The webinar had an open discussion session, participated by ambassadors and high commissioners, senior civil and military officials, media, academia, think tanks, business personalities, and teachers from different universities.
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