Sheikh Mujib was one of the greatest speakers I've ever heard: Mark Tully
His March 7 speech an inspiration to Sheikh Hasina, he says
Veteran British journalist Mark Tully, at an event marking historic March 7, said Bangabandhu's speech galvanized Bangalees to fight for their independence.
"Sheikh Sa'ab (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) was one of the greatest speakers I have ever heard, and his speech on March 7 galvanized the people of Bangladesh to fight for their independence from the oppression of West Pakistan," Tully said.
"Before his March 7 speech, there was only talk of autonomy, but not of liberation, freedom and independence," said the renowned journalist joining the event, organised by Bangladesh High Commission in London in collaboration with SOAS South Asia Institute and Nomad Publishing, UK on March 7, according to a press release.
He further said that Bangabandhu's iconic speech that led Bangladeshis to gain independence in 1971 continues to be an inspiration to his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to propel Bangladesh forward economically and socially.
Speaking on the occasion, Bangladesh's eminent economist, Professor Rehman Sobhan said, "The March 7 speech was not just a speech, but a landmark political moment in the history of independence of Bangladesh. From that day forward, Bangabandhu was effectively the ruler of Bangladesh."
Chaired by Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem, Lord Howell of Guildford, Professor James Manor, Emeritus Professor of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, Professor Edward Simpson, Director of SOAS South Asia Institute, and Max Scott, Director of Nomad Publishing, UK spoke at the high-profile panel discussion on "Bangabandhu's life and legacy today".
Marking the day, Bangladesh High Commission, London also organised the UK release of an exclusive publication titled "Mujib: An Introduction".
Highlighting the significance of the historic March 7 Speech, High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem said: "Bangabandhu's 18-minute extempore historic 7 March Speech not only changed the history of Bengali nation, but the history of the world for which UNESCO conserved it as the Documentary Heritage of Mankind in its Memory of World Register for succeeding generations."
The High Commissioner said: "Bangladesh High Commission was proud to translate the 7 March speech in Scottish, Irish and Welsh languages during the Mujib Borsho and to share the spirit and core message of the speech with millions of Irish, Scott and Welsh speaking people across the UK."
The envoy reaffirmed that the High Commission will continue to pass on Bangabandhu's message of democracy, freedom and human rights among the new generation of the British-Bangladeshis.
Earlier, the day's programme began with the hoisting of the national flag at the chancery, followed by wreaths being placed at Bangabandhu's portrait by the High Commissioner and officers of the mission.
Messages issued on the occasion by the President and the Prime Minister were read out by the mission's officers.
A special dua was offered for the language martyrs, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu and his family and all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the War of Liberation, and for peace and continued progress of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.