Despite being heavily ravaged by the nine-month-long Liberation War, Bangladesh witnessed prosperous growth under the brilliant leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Other than historical records, both diplomatic and newspaper reports also attest to the development. But it all came to a standstill after the fateful night of August 15, 1975 when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brutally assassinated along with most of his family members.
All his dreams and plans to rebuild the country were shattered and even many ongoing initiatives either lost pace or were stopped.
But the beginning of the mission for what he had always deemed a Sonar Bangla is something to remember not only for the nation, but for the rest of the world.
Bangabandhu embarked on rebuilding a war-torn Bangladesh immediately after his return home from a Pakistani jail. Despite all odds, he successfully overcame the challenges that were deep-rooted in both economic and non-economic sectors of the newly independent country.
According to some major publications and newspaper reports on Bangabandhu, the major challenges on the economic front were the need for mobilizing adequate internal and external resources, rebuilding infrastructures, rehabilitating thousands of people who had lost everything in the war; and reviving financial, industrial and business organizations.
How it all started
In 1972, the then Pakistan government was forced to release the architect of an independent Bangladesh on January 8, under mounting pressure from the international community. The same day, he traveled to London, upon being freed from a Pakistani prison.
He returned home to Bangladesh via New Delhi two days later, which is annually marked as his Homecoming Day. In London, he spoke to the world press and also met British Prime Minister Edward Heath at 10 Downing Street. Opposition leader Harold Wilson called on him at Claridges Hotel. During his stopover in Delhi, he was welcomed by Indian President VV Giri and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
When the Father of the Nation reached Dhaka on January 10, millions of jubilant citizens welcomed him with open arms. He went straight from the airport to the Race Course Maidan, now renamed Suhrawardy Udyan, where he addressed the people.
On January 12, Bangabandhu took charge as prime minister. Within a period of three and half years, he laid the foundations of the new republic by putting into effect several measures, including rehabilitation of 10 million Bengali refugees and withdrawal of all allied forces within three months of victory.
Among other major steps he took were the formation of the constituent assembly and the adoption of a constitution for the new state within 10 months, achieving recognition of Bangladesh as a independent state by more than 100 countries, and gaining membership of important international bodies, including the Commonwealth of Nations, the UN, NAM and OIC.
The Bangladesh Observer on January 15, 1975 reported that Bangabandhu had outlined his plan for a new economy, prioritizing relief and rehabilitation. The Dainik Bangla on January 26, 1975 reported that Bangabandhu had announced a special allocation of Taka 30 crore for the homeless people.
A plan was also taken up in June 1972 to construct 1.66 lakh houses for freedom fighters and women, children and others who had lost everything during the war.
In the same year, his government announced the first national budget of over Tk500 crore, allocating the highest amount for the agriculture sector, followed by education and social welfare.
Lifting duty on fertilizer and baby food and slashing tax on cotton yarn and water pump were also two major steps in the budget, which was titled as a budget for reconstruction. No tax on fertilizer and baby food supported farmers and ensured supply of healthy food for children. Lower tax on cotton yarn was also for keeping prices of clothes within the reach of common people.
In line with the budget, the country’s first fifth five year plan with an allocation of Taka 4,455 crore was also announced the following year at the special initiative of Bangabandhu.
Also, the government led by him started reconstructing some large bridges, power stations and telephone exchanges. In line with initiatives, Hardinge Bridge, Teesta Railway Bridge and Bhairab Railway Bridge were reconstructed. Chittagong Port was also made usable by removing mines and shipwrecks from the port’s entry. Bangabandhu also initiated the process to build a bridge on the Jamuna River.
Diplomatic gains
Bangabandhu was keen to bolster diplomatic relations without wasting time. Through his prompt measures, a proposal was tabled in the UN for providing Bangladesh with Tk 411 crore to rebuild the country.
The UN relief operation team in a 1972 report mentioned that Bangladesh had emerged as a disciplined country within a year of the Liberation War and gave credit to the government for the feat.
The US embassy in a special report said Bangabandhu had brought everything under his control. The way he organised his administration, none could think that Bangladesh was non-existent only a year ago, it noted.
Meanwhile, Bangabandhu convinced Indira Gandhi, the Indian prime minister, that Bangladesh no longer needed Indian soldiers and they could return to their base in India. On March 17, 1972, the two countries inked a 25-year treaty of friendship and cooperation.
He built diplomatic relations with the US. In May 1972, the Bangladesh embassy started to operate in Washington. On 17 January 1975, a long term aid deal was signed among Bangladesh, the US and OPEC.
On March 1, 1972, Bangabandhu went to Moscow, to discuss the reconstruction of Bangladesh and other international issues. The two countries signed an economic treaty two days later.
The Arab countries were the tricky ones and already had good relations with Pakistan. But Bangabandhu was a shrewd and pragmatic diplomat. He declared Bangladesh’s support for Arabs during Arab-Israel war of October 1973. He sent medical teams and fine tea leaves to such Arab countries as Egypt.
On September 6, 1973, Bangabandhu attended the summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Algiers. On 18 September 1974, Bangladesh became a member of the UN with the unanimous approval of all countries. On 25th September, he delivered his speech at the assembly in Bangla.
Personal and partisan achievements
In 1973, led by him, the Awami League secured 293 seats out of 300 in the Jatiya Sangsad in the first general elections held on March 7 in independent Bangladesh.
He was conferred the Joliot Curie Peace Prize for his contribution to world peace on May 23, 1974.
