Bangamata Was Bangabandhu’s Constant Political Associate: Quader

Awami League General  Secretary Obaidul Quader said today that Bangamata Sheik Fazilatunnesa Mujib was not only the wife of the Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman Nation Father, but also his constant political associate.

"Bangamata played a critical role behind the scenes in Bangabandhu's political success. She was Bangabandhu's collaborator in the Bangalee struggle for freedom, "he said.

Quader, also Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, spoke at a virtual press briefing after paying tribute to Bangamata by putting a wreath at his tomb in Banani's cemetery, marking his 90th anniversary, reports BSS.

He said Bangabandhu led Bangalee 's long fight for independence and the Liberation War to liberate this land from the subjugation of Pakistani oppressors and thus became not only the father of a country and an independent Bangladeshi artist, but also a world-famous leader and statesman.

Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib brought encouragement and strength from behind the scene for Bangabandhu in his every step and struggle, he added.

The Minister said that Bangamata had certain parallels with the longest-serving First Lady of the United States of America (USA) Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of Franklin D Roosevelt, who was elected president four times and served as president for the longest period in the history of that republic.

He said that both Fazilatunnesa Mujib and Eleanor Roosevelt, who later became President Harry S. Truman's "First Lady of the Nation" in memory of their human rights accomplishments, lost their parents in their youth, married their first cousin, and both of them had exceptional contributions to their husband's political life.

Yet the disparity between the two is that Fazilatunnesa Mujib had an opportunity to make significant contributions to the state's liberation, yet Eleanor Roosevelt was not granted a shot, he said.

Quader said Bangamata provided Bangabandhu the greatest motivation in giving a seminal speech on 7 March, which was simply a call for freedom.

He said that Fazilatunnesa Mujib was Bangabandhu's associate until their passing, and that the great woman had provided encouragement to the father of the nation to lead every glorious achievement of the state, including freedom.

Later, the AL general secretary virtually joined the coronavirus (Covid-19) protective equipment distribution ceremony arranged by the party’s relief and social welfare sub-committee marking the birth anniversary of Bangamata at the party’s central Bangabandhu Avenue office here.

According to the instructions of the AL President and Prime Minister Sheik Hasina, committed party members extend cooperation to local governments to take flood victims to shelter centers and provide them with cooked meals, apart from their continuous efforts to help the people during the coronavirus crisis, he said.

Quader said since the inception, it is the party’s long heritage over the seven decades of its journey to stay beside people in every crisis as AL leaders and workers are devoted to extend humanitarian service to the downtrodden people.

On the occasion of the anniversary of Bangamata, Covid-19 was granted security and medical equipment to be spread among 500 frontline physicians from various district-level hospitals, Upazila health centers and eight Covid-19 hospitals.

AL Presidium Members Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman, Joint General Secretaries Mahbubul Alam Hanif and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretaries Ahmed Hossain, BM Mozammel Haque and Mirza Azam, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Abdus Sabur, Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rokeya Sultana, Dhaka City South AL President Abu Ahmed Mannafi and General Secretary Humayun Kabir were present on the occasion.

AL Central Working Committee Member Dr Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin chaired the function.