Bangladesh’s graduation to developing country a slap to critics: PM

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said Bangladesh’s graduation to developing nation was a slap to those who predicted the country would be a bottomless basket after the independence. 
‘A quarter during the Liberation War asked what the country will achieve after being independent... it will be a “bottomless basket”. I think the Bengalis can put a slap on the faces of those critics and they have done it,’ she said while opening a month-long solo art exhibition of celebrated artist Shahabuddin Ahmed at Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka in the afternoon.
Shilpakala Academy and Ganges Art Gallery, Kolkata (India) in association with the cultural affairs ministry organised the exhibition titled ‘Shanti’ (peace) at Gallery 2 of National Art Gallery of the academy. 
Cultural affairs secretary Ibrahim Hossain Khan presided over the function. Artist Shahabuddin, academy director general Liakat Ali Lucky and Ganges Art Gallery director Smita Bajoria spoke. 
At the function, the premier unveiled the cover of a book Amar Muktijuddha, written by Shahabuddin Ahmed. 
The prime minister said Bangladesh had achieved worldwide recognition as it graduated to developing country from the LDC group. ‘We’ve been able to stand keeping our head high as we followed the footsteps of father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,’ she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that Sheikh Mujib earned Bangladesh’s recognition as a least developed country and Bangladesh didn’t get any honour for 38 years. She said that Bangladesh had now received the United Nation’s recognition as a developing country. ‘We’ve learned to stand on our own feet economically ...we’re not dependent on anybody. We’ve proven that we can develop the country ourselves,’ she said.
The prime minister said her government made tireless efforts to bring to the fore the true history of the Liberation War as some generations were deprived of it. ‘A distorted history was projected before them and our aim was to highlight the true history so that we can get dignity as a victorious nation,’ she said. Sheikh Hasina said a nation was enlightened when it was enriched with education, art and culture. 
‘We witnessed after 1975 how the country’s culture was destroyed. But we always made efforts to uphold our art, culture and heritage,’ she said. 
The prime minister said her government wanted Bangladesh to move forward upholding the spirit of the Liberation War and stand on the world stage keeping its head held high. ‘We’ve taken every step to achieve this goal,’ she said. In this regard, she said all would have to remain alert so this spirit was not lost again.
‘We have taken the country to a certain place through our efforts and all of us have to keep vigil against any move to save the country from falling into the hands of Razakar and Al Badr,’ she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh lost its way after the assassination of Sheikh Mujib in 1975 as distorted history gave birth to distorted character of the people. 
The prime minister said the people of the country would have to repay his debt. ‘His dream will be materialised if we could bring smiles on the faces of the poor and distressed people and we’ve to do that,’ she said. 
Sheikh Hasina said the hunger of a person was not met only with food, and for this the hunger of the mind would have to be met. That hunger could be fed through art, culture and literature, she said.
Mentioning that the politicians and cultural activists are complementary to each other, she said achievements were not possible if poets, writers, artists did not participate in any programme.
Describing Shahabuddin as a great asset of Bangladesh, the premier said, ‘He is a freedom fighter, he portrays it in his work and we feel proud of it.’ 
‘We want the touch of his brush to continue to sing the glorious history of our liberation war,’ she said.
The exhibition, featuring over 30 of the recent artworks by the maestro, included portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Rabindranath Tagore, MK Gandhi together with works of Shahabuddin’s famous series like Freedom Fighter, Birangana, Speed and Victory. 
The exhibition would remain open for all from 11:00am to 8:00pm daily (3:00pm to 8:00pm on Fridays). The art works were previously displayed at the Ganges Art Gallery.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net