Where were you on August 15, 1975: Rokeya Quader

We were in Dhaka with our family during the assassination of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. We never thought something like this could happen.

It was very shocking; we were stunned to hear this news. The only thing that came to mind was how to accept this tragic end of the people who did so much for the country. We were dumbfounded.

Back then, Desh Group founder M Noorul Quader was a government official. He became the secretary of Mujibnagar government and he joined the war of liberation with arms while he was the DC of Pabna.

Going to war against the then government as a government official was undoubtedly heroic.

M Noorul Quader was close to Bangabandhu. As part of the economic restructuring of the independent country, he established the Desh Group of Companies in 1974 and became a part of history as a pioneer of the export-oriented RMG sector.

Although Bangabandhu was killed, it wasn’t possible to kill his ideology.

The industry that was established with the 130+ workers then, has now become the lifeline of the country's economy securing 84% of the country's foreign earnings.

After Bangabandhu’s assassination, those who took the industry forward despite the hundreds of obstacles during that turbulent time are also heroes.

May Bangabandhu's ideology be spread coast to coast and be the inspiring force behind the country’s march forward towards development.

His role in the reconstruction of the country's economy in the post-independence period was immense. At the time when the country was just beginning to move forward, his assassination was a massive shock country.

Much of his contribution in the reconstruction of the country and the country's economy were not very well known. However, by the initiative of our prime minister, the light is being shone on his dedication to the country.

Rokeya Quader is the chairman of Desh Group