Nation to observe historic March 7 tomorrow

The nation is set to observe the historic March 7 tomorrow, commemorating the landmark speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman -- considered an indirect declaration of the country's independence in 1971.

This year the observance of the day will be more significant as the nation is going to celebrate the golden jubilee of independence on March 26 while "Mujib Year", the yearlong celebration of Bangabandhu's birth centenary, is going on.

The fiery speech of Bangabandhu inspired Bangalees to prepare for the War of Liberation.

The war began 18 days later, when the Pakistan Army launched "Operation Searchlight" against unarmed Bangalee civilians, intellectuals, students, politicians, and armed personnel.

On October 30 in 2017, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognised the historic speech as part of the world's documentary heritage.

On March 7, Bangabandhu in his historic speech at a mammoth rally in the then 'Race Course Maidan', now Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka directed the freedom-loving Bangalees to wage a decisive struggle against the Pakistani rulers.

In the 19-minute extempore speech before millions of people of former East Pakistan, Bangabandhu in unequivocal term said, "We spilled our blood…we are ready to shed more blood, the people of the country shall be freed, InshAllah!"

"Ebarer sangram amader muktir sangram, ebarer sangram swadhinatar sangram" (The struggle this time is for our emancipation, the struggle this time is for our independence) -- the great leader and the greatest Bangalee of all times went on to add.

During his deliberations amid thunderous slogans and applause, he also made a fervent appeal to the roaring people from all walks of life to take preparations for armed struggle against the tyranny, exploitation, subjugation and deprivation by Pakistani military junta with whatever they possessed and transforming every house into a fortress.