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The chief adviser said this explosion instilled the determination of building a “New Bangladesh” and was deeply rooted in the country’s 170 million people.

“We have come to take an oath on this commitment through this ceremony of Amar Ekushey,” he said.

Yunus said on August 5 last year, the historic student-mass uprising brought down a 16-year autocratic regime.

The chief adviser recalled with deep respect all the courageous students, masses and workers who gave their lives and were brutally injured in the July uprising.

The uprising achieved through great sacrifice has brought this year’s book fair before the people with a new significance, he said.

The theme of this year’s book fair is “The July uprising: Rebuilding a new Bangladesh”.

“The July uprising strongly united the nation. Because of this, we found the courage to rebuild a country devastated economically, politically, institutionally, and humanely,” he said.

“Our young men and women, teenagers, painted their dreams, their aspirations, their demands on the walls of the streets with incredible determination. Our street walls have now been transformed into historical documents,” he said.

Congratulating the book fair organisers for presenting these murals at gates of the fair, the chief adviser said the boi mela, organised by Bangla Academy, has become an integral part of national life.

Stressing the need for recognising the contributions of Bangladeshi expatriates and expatriate workers, he said Bangladeshis are showing their achievements in various fields all over the world.

“We want to remember all of them on Ekushey. They all celebrate Ekushey February remembering their country...,” Yunus said.