Bangabandhu a gifted leader: Muhith

• A rare breed of a great man
• Research needed on Bangabandhu's life and legacy
• World Peace Conference likely on 50th anniversary of country's victory in 2021

Former finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith on Tuesday said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was gifted in demonstrating his political prowess in every possible way as a leader.

"He was a rare breed of a great man. Not only was he the leader of Bangladesh, he was also a great man of the globe. The world must be proud of him," Muhith said at a virtual event marking the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The veteran politician was the keynote speaker at Bangabandhu Lecture Series, an event held at the newly-built Foreign Service Academy at the State Guest House Sugandha.

Muhith underscored the prudence of Bangabandhu and affirmed that the country is fortunate to host the auspicious birth of such a great leader.

"Bangabandhu sincerely believed that the land and its large population were instrumental in making the country a Sonar Bangla."

The former finance minister said: "The Father of the Nation worked out his strategy that could ensure public welfare, poverty reduction and employment for a large population of the newly born Bangladesh."

Bangabandhu's first target was to gain self-sufficiency in food production using the vast arable land of this country, he added.

"He always thought that the land and its fertility would be crucial to making food production and he was proven right."

Today the country's food produce has gone up from 11 million tonnes to 400 million tonnes, he said.

Focusing on the pre-liberation period, Muhith said Bangabandhu also prepared the country to accept the concept of an independent Bangladesh.

After making the concept known, he began to sell the idea to the Bangalees, and thus he performed the job of a nation builder, popularising the idea of a nation-state, recalled Muhith.

He said following liberation, Bangabandhu's next target was finding jobs for the large population of the country. Nearly 20 lakh new labour force join the economy every year while some 5 lakh go abroad annually.

"I feel very proud that I had been unflinching in my devotion to Bangabandhu throughout my life," Muhith concluded.

In his inaugural speech, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said further research is needed on the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's life and legacy.

"Bangabandhu was a visionary. We need to research his life, legacy and history."

The foreign minister noted that the Bangabandhu Lecture Series has commenced in the historic month of December.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has co-founded Bangabandhu Research Centre for Foreign Policy and Diplomacy to conduct further research into Bangabandhu's life.

"The country that was known as a bottomless basket is now a vibrant economy," the minister said, expressing his satisfaction with the prosperity of the country.

However, he urged the countrymen to engage themselves in achieving the target of building a better nation.

"By 2041, we will achieve our Sonar Bangla, the dream of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."

The minister also informed the meeting that in the Mujib Year, Bangladesh established 68 Bangabandhu corners out of 78 missions all over the globe.

The government has proposed to organise a World Peace Conference on the 50th anniversary of victory in 2021, Momen said.

In his discussion, Prime Minister's adviser on international affairs Gowher Rizvi said the fundamental foreign policies laid down by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman still continue to prevail.

He also highlighted the necessity of forming Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (Baksal).

"Had Bangabandhu lived a little longer and managed to establish a regional development based on Baksal, I can assure you that we could reach our goal of making a Sonar Bangla long before."

Former Ambassador Waliur Rahman and Kamal Chowdhury, chief coordinator of the National Implementation Committee for the Celebration of the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation, also spoke at the programme.

Shahriar Alam, state minister for foreign affairs, delivered the vote of thanks to the distinguished guests and participants.

Diplomats from home and abroad, intellectuals, senior officials from public and private sectors also connected to the event both in person and virtually.

As the media partner, The Business Standard streamed the programme live on its Facebook page.

The lecture series will continue to be held at least once in every month throughout the period of Bangabandhu's birth centenary and the country's golden jubilee of independence.

It will also be held in Bangladesh missions abroad alongside in the country.

Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen will deliver the keynote speech at the second lecture in January while Prof Rehman Sobhan is expected to join too at that time.