Shawdesh desk:

The month of independence begins today, giving a heartbreaking reminder to the genocide that the Pakistani occupation forces carried out in the country from March to mid-December in 1971.

The month of March is very significant in the country’s history as Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the country’s independence in the early hours of March 26 in 1971.

The nation will observe the golden jubilee of independence this year by paying glowing tributes to the liberation war martyrs whose supreme sacrifices made Bangladesh a sovereign state through the nine-month Liberation War that began on March 26, 1971, reports BSS.

The month also made the nation proud for the historic 7th March speech of Bangabandhu, which has been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as part of the world’s documentary heritage.

Architect of independent Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born on March 17, 1920 at Tungipara in Gopalganj.

Earlier, the government has announced Mujib Barsho for yearlong celebration of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu from March 17, 2020 to March 26, 2021.

Later, the government decided to extend the Mujib Barsho till December 16, 2021 as outbreak of coronavirus pandemic forced to cancel many programmes during the previously announced timeframe. This year the nation is going to celebrate the golden jubilee of independence when the country got the final recommendation for Bangladesh’s transition to a developing country — from least-developed country status on February 27 last.

Five decades ago, the nation engaged in the war of independence in this month of March under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and earned a sovereign Bangladesh on December 16, 1971 after fighting against the Pakistani occupation forces for around nine months.

March is depicted in the country’s history as a month of grief as well as inspiration and dedication for the freedom of the country and the people.

The struggle for independence started escalating from the beginning of March in 1971 when the then Pakistani dictator postponed the scheduled March 3 session of the National Assembly as part of their conspiracy against the peaceful and legitimate movement of Bangalee.