Awami League, the political party true to its name, evolved from within the common people. It was not created in a zaminder palace or cantonment by some people who represented the so called elits and military rulers. The birth of Awami League was the need of the time when there was none to speak for the farmers, fishermen, workers and common people of Bengal who suffered discrimination and persecution in the hands of the rulers as well as the powerful in society. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who always felt compassion for the downtrodden people gave them hope and a voice by giving them a strong platform - Awami League - to work together. It was hailed as the democratic institute they have been waiting for to be able to exercise their democratic rights. The rank and file in Awami League started to grow fast and soon it became the largest political party of the region.
Awami League always spoke for the people and stood beside the people. At times of famine, floods or cyclone, people found their leaders by their side.
Bangladesh Awami League (AL) will observe its 70th founding anniversary today amid holding different programmes. The anniversary programme will begin in the morning of June 23, the day of founding of the party by hoisting national and party flags at Bangabandhu Bhaban and party’s central office at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city.
Floated on this day in 1949, Awami League has been transformed into a mass organisation of the people of the country by leading all the democratic-political-social-cultural movements including the long arduous freedom struggle and the War of Liberation. AL presidium member and Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim said "Bangladesh Awami League is one of the oldest, biggest and secular political party that led the national movement for emancipation of the Bangalees and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the first personality who initiated the work for building a secular Bangladesh,"
He added: "Awami League is not only the oldest and biggest political party in the country but it's the mainstream of democracy and secular ideologies. Since its floating, Awami League has been taking forward the trend in our social-democracy uninterruptedly through various movements and struggles over the past 68 years."
Nasim said the achievements of AL were the outcome of the democratic people during the Pakistani rule and the party never ever gave false assurance to people as it implemented whatever necessary for the nation and the country. Marking the founding anniversary, the ruling AL has taken an extensive programme, including hoisting of the national and party flags at its offices across the country at dawn, placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu on the premises of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi at 9am.
Though the country's biggest political party was floated as Awami Muslim League at the historical Rose Garden at KM Das Lane in Dhaka, the word 'Muslim' was dropped at its third council in 1955. In a statement today, Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, called upon the party units across the country and their associate and like-minded bodies to observe the founding anniversary of the party.
The ruling Awami League has announced a month-long countrywide programme to celebrate its 70th founding anniversary. AL General Secretary and Roads, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader announced the programs after the party’s secretariat meeting held at the Bangabandhu Avenue central office in the capital recently.
Quader said the party will release balloons and pigeons at the central office at 9am along with the playing of the national anthem. Wreaths will be placed at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi Road No 32. A delegation of AL will place wreaths at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj at 9.30am, added the report.
He also said a discussion meeting will be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) on June 24 where senior party leaders from grassroots level will be given reception. A cultural function will be held at the party’s Bangabandhu Avenue central office on June 25. Cultural events will also be held at Hatirjheel and Rabindra Sarabar in Dhanmondi.
Obaidul Quader said souvenirs, posters and supplements will be published highlighting the activities and achievements of the party. Along with the central committee’s program, party’s district, upazila and city units will organize discussions, rallies, seminars and essay competitions to celebrate the founding anniversary of the organization.