On January 31, 2022, Bangladesh and Australia celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations. It was on this day 50 years ago that Australia’s Foreign Minister Nigel Bowen announced that Australia had recognised the government led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the government of the new state of Bangladesh.
Stressing the importance of following the chain of command, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel to perform their responsibilities with patriotism, honesty and discipline.
The words “Nazi forces” bring back memories of the horror unleased at their concentration camps. What Pakistani forces and their Bihari collaborators did at the Saidpur Railway Workshop during Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971 was as grisly as those events of World War II.
December 16, 1971. Dhaka was gripped by euphoria. People were shouting “Joy Bangla” from the streets to rooftops. Many were hugging each other, celebrating freedom.
“We started swimming in the calm waters of the river. I was moving fast and reached the jetty, where I found the big barge. The jetty was dazzling with lights, but no guard was in sight.”