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Independence award conferred on Bangabandhu, Ziaur Rahman

BSS, Dhaka
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday conferred this year's independence award on late President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and late President Ziaur Rahman simultaneously, underlining the imperative for forging national consensus to attain selfreliance.
"I believe party is above any individual and the country is above party. Let us pledge on the eve of Independence and National Day to work together shunning differences to build a happy, prosperous and self-reliant Bangladesh to show respect to two great leaders", said Khaleda Zia at the 'Swadhinata Puraskar-2003' ceremony, held at the National Museum auditorium.
Describing the ceremony an exceptional one, the prime minister said "today's ceremony has added a new dimension to the history of this award."
Khaleda laid utmost importance on forging national consensus now than anytime before in the context of the uncertain world scenario, war on Iraq and its possible impact on the world economy.
She termed both late President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Ziaur Rahman as assets of the nation and added, "So the awards conferred on them have also become national assets."
In view of this reality, the prime minister, installed their medals, citation and portraits at the National Museum for their preservation instead of handing over them to their heirs.
Director General of National Museum Dr Iftekharul Awal received the medals and citations on behalf of the Museum.
"I am paying rich tributes to them on behalf of the nation by conferring Swadhinata Puraskar on this two great national leaders," she said.
Recalling the contributions of Bangabandhu in the War of Independence and preindependence struggle for realising the right to self-determination, the prime minister said that the March 7, 1971 speech of Sheikh Mujib at the then Racecourse Maidan had inspired the nation in the fight against Pakistani rule, exploitation and repression.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she
said, had established a constitutional government in the postindependence war-ravaged country and framed a constitution within a short span of time.
On the other hand, the prime minister said, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had declared independence from Kalurghat Betar Kendra by revolting against the Pakistani regime and urged the people to build up resistance against the Pakistani forces.
She said late President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman were two such personalities whose positions should be above all parties and opinions. She said the contributions of the two leaders should not be confined to any particular party or group as this would put obstacle on way to their true evaluation.
Cabinet Secretary Dr Sadaat Hoosain conducted the function which began with recitation from the holy Quran.
He read out the citation on late President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and late President Ziaur Rahman, recalling their contributions to the nation.
Speaker Jamir Uddin Sircar, ministers, former presidents, MPs, diplomats, judges, vicechancellors, teachers, academicians and journalists, were among others, present on the occasion.