'Establish peace to build a better world'

War or violence can never be a means of resolving any kind of crisis or problem. Rather, it destroys the civilization, violate human rights and put the humanity at stake, they said.

Condemning the acts of aggression in the Middle East and other parts of the world, they said the people of the world should work together to establish peace.

Muktijoddha Gono Parishad organised the discussion at Mahanagar Natya Mancha in the city to mark the 'Hiroshima Day', the 61st anniversary of the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The Parishad also honoured freedom fighters and other eminent personalities at the programme.

They are language movement veteran Abdul Matin, Col. (retd.) Ziauddin Ahmed Bir Uttam, William AS Ouderland Bir Pratik (posthumous), Akku Chowdhury, Sharmin Murshid, Shaon Mahmud, daughter of Shaheed Altaf Mahmud, journalist Shahin Reza Nur, son of Shaheed Sirajuddin Hossein, Akkas Ali and Ale Mae, a Japanese citizen.

Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas, who was present as the chief guest, handed over crests to them.

Addressing the ceremony, Mirza Abbas called for an end to acts of genocide being carried out in different parts of the world, including the Middle East.

Presiding over the ceremony, Maj. Gen. (retd.) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim Bir Pratik said, "We want peace for the sake of the next generation."

Muktijoddha Gono Parishad Vice-president Syed Abul Bashar said lakhs of people have sacrificed their lives for independence, but the country is yet to be freed of all kinds of exploitation and corruption.

Ale Mae urged the political leaders to work together for establishing peace and development of the country.

Milly Rahman, wife of Shaheed Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman, Maj. Gen. (retd.) Amin Ahmed Chowdhury Bir Bikram, Col. (retd.) Ziauddin Ahmed Bir Uttam, Dr Nazimuddin Ahmed, Gono Parishad President Ishtiaq Aziz Ulfat, and First Secretary of the Australian Embassy Michael Long also spoke.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Peace Council, Department of Peace and Conflict Studies of Dhaka University, Liberation War Museum and Hiroshima Bhashkor Prakolpo also marked the Hiroshima Day with various programmes.

Bangladesh Peace Council organised a discussion in the city where the speakers said it is time to strengthen campaign and mass movement to stop proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Presided over by the Peace Council President Ali Aksad, the discussion was also addressed by Justice KM Sobhan, Manjurul Ahsan Khan, Rashed Khan Menon, Hasanul Haque Inu and Amena Ahmed.

Liberation War Museum organised a youth conference and cultural programme.