DHAKA: The nation has welcomed the year 2014 with a new pledge to advance the country on a higher growth track and also a new hope to see the end of ongoing political impasse over the upcoming national polls.

In the year that has just gone, the country lost its President Zillur Rahman who closed the curtains on a colourful career of more than six decades in politics. It experienced remarkable happenings over war crimes verdicts and beginning of its execution.

Formation of Gonojagoron Mancha, emergence of Hefajat-e Islam and some other important issues were also vital with a marked lack of consensus between the government and the opposition on the issues.

The year is also notable for some other significant events, including Rana Plaza collapse, cancellation of GSP and, important verdicts in BDR case, Biswajit killing case, Saudi Embassy official Khalaf Al Ali case.

Hatirjheel-Begunbari project, Jatrabari-Gulistan Flyover, Kuril Flyover, Zillur Rahman Flyover, formation of largest Human Flag, Singing of the national anthem by more than 300,000 people, 10,000 MW power generation and $18-billion foreign currency reserve were also in the list of the positive event of the year just gone.

The year 2013 was a great loss for the country’s cultural arena. The country lost some prominent figures, including eminent film actor Anwar Hossain, TV actor and director Khaled Khan, singer Bipul Bhattacharia, folk singer Abdur Rahman Bayati, TV actress Mita Nur, Director and producer Mizanur Rahman Khan Dipu, Ahmed Zaman Chowdhury and Atiqul Haque Chowdhury and Baby Jaman.

Though the year has started with the opposition’s ‘indefinite blockade’ programme protesting the ‘January 5 national elections’, the whole nation is expecting peace, progress and stability of the country in the new year to harness the prospects for a better future.

BDST: 0001 HRS, JAN 01, 2014
Edited by: SM Salahuddin, Output Editor