Amar Sonar Bangla

By Mohammed Alauddin, On e-mail
6 March 2004, 18:00 PM
Since my childhood I am hearing the famous words "Golden Bengal" possibly coined by Bengal's Nobel Laureate poet Rabindra-nath Tagore. Since 1971, these words have adored the opening line of our national anthem. It was not only the dream but the basis of our independence struggle. The ultimate goal of all struggles and demands pointed towards this goal. We were made to understand that foreign powers were intentionally blocking our path to this goal. Unfortunately, for the last 33 years I have been hearing government after government promising to build Sonar Bangla in front of their fellow countrymen and doing exactly the reverse. This country has all the potential to become a self-sustaining country with a decent standard of living for all, provided those who are destined to govern us are determined to serve the nation.

If we top the corruption list, then how our dreams of a proud and healthy nation will materialise? I would request our leaders and those in charge of governance of this country to honestly pledge and act only for the first line of our national anthem. "Amar sonar Bangla ami tomae bhalobashi."