Independence Day

With that attack Pakistan, as it existed at that moment, can be said to have died, killed by its own army led by a power hungry political leadership who cared more about their personal aggrandisement than about the welfare of the country. From that moment on our struggle for independence became one of the most widely participated armed struggle that was soon to defeat the arrogant and cruel occupation army of Pakistan.

What followed is the proudest episode in the life of Bangladeshis. Historically stigmatised as a so-called non-martial race, Bengali men and women, especially young boys and girls from all walks of life formed the Mukti Bahini which was to devastate the well armed Pakistan forces through their creative guerilla warfare and exceptional bravery. What however was most tragic was the genocide that was carried out by the Pakistani army throughout the nook and corner of the country. Villages after villages were razed to the ground to destroy the Mukti Bahini and people were killed in the hundreds of thousands to weaken our spirit. Nearly three million people were killed and about 30 million people were made homeless resulting in one of the most tragic humanitarian crisis and one of the biggest refugee problem of the 20th century. The action of the Pakistan army can be termed as an example of ethnic cleansing which we were later to see in Bosnia.

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Through it all a nation was steeled and determined to overcome all obstacles and establish an independent country of its own. This day marks the beginning of the proudest time in our nation's history and one from which we must draw strength to build the Sonar Bangla that so many millions have laid down their lives for.