Shailkupa (Jhenaidah) Correspondent

The Bangladesh Awami League, not only the oldest and largest political party in the country but also the mainstay of Bangladesh's political landscape, celebrated a historic day with various programs. The history of the emergence of independent Bangladesh is inextricably linked with the history of the Bangladesh Awami League.

On June 23, 1949, the Awami League was founded as the first opposition party in then-Pakistan. Under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Awami League spearheaded the Liberation War, culminating in the independence of Bangladesh.

Throughout the years, the Awami League has consistently led the Bengali nation in its struggle for freedom, including the Language Movement of 1952, the United Front election of 1954, the education movements of 1962 and 1964, the historic victory in the 1970 elections, and the momentous March 7 speech in 1971, where Bangabandhu declared, "This time the struggle is for our freedom, this time the struggle is for our independence."

This call led to the non-cooperation movement against the Pakistani rulers, culminating in the ultimate victory on December 16, 1971. On this historic day, the Jhenidah District Awami League, led by President Shafiqul Islam Apu and newly elected MP from Jhenaidah-1 Shailkupa, veteran freedom fighter Mr. Nayeb Ali Joarder, announced various programs, beginning with the hoisting of the national flag. At 5:30 PM, a discussion meeting, prayer session, and cake-cutting ceremony were held at the Shailkupa Upazila Awami League's office.

The event was graced by the presence of newly- elected MP Nayeb Ali Joarder, newly elected Upazila Parishad Chairman Mr. Mustafa Arif Reza Mannu, Municipal Mayor Alhaj Kazi Ashraful Azam, Joint General Secretary of Upazila Awami League Rezaul Islam Raju, former General Secretary of Upazila Chhatra League Zulfiqar Kaiser Tipu, Chairman of Bogura Union No. 10 Shafiqul Islam Shimul, former Chhatra League leader Mostak Shikder, and other leaders of various Awami League affiliated organizations were present.