Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said today (Feb 1) that the spirit of Amar Ekushey inspired the nation to launch the July uprising with the goal of creating a 'New Bangladesh.'

He said, "The immense force that fueled the July Uprising was embedded in the unwavering commitment of Barkat, Salam, Rafiq, and Jabbar. After half a century, this powerful momentum transformed into a mass movement that reshaped the country."

Speaking at the inaugural session of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair, the chief adviser emphasized that this movement instilled a firm resolve to build a 'New Bangladesh,' a vision deeply ingrained in the country’s 170 million people.

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

On August 5 last year, Prof Yunus said, the historic student-mass uprising brought down a 16-year autocratic regime. "This unprecedented sacrifice of our brave youth has surprised the world. Through this victory, a vivid commitment to building a 'New Bangladesh' has come," he said. 

The chief adviser recalled with deep respect all the courageous students, masses and workers who laid down 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, adding that the theme of this year's book fair is "The July uprising: Rebuilding a new Bangladesh".

Focusing on the significance of Amar Ekushey, Prof Yunus said Ekushey means facing one's own identity and Ekushey means constant struggle.
 
"The perspective of this Ekushey has taken us to a new horizon," he added. 

The chief adviser said Amar Ekushey shows the people a path and it awakens all.
 
"The July uprising made the nation united to a historic depth just six months ago. Because of this, we found the courage to prepare to quickly rebuild a country devastated economically, politically, institutionally and humanly to its intended destination," he said.

Prof Yunus said the student-people jumped in to transform the devastated Bangladesh into a new one and they made the impossible possible. 

"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 Our street walls have now been transformed into historical documents," he said.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 beautifully presenting these murals at the gates of the fair, the chief adviser said the book fair, organised by Bangla Academy, has become an integral part of national life. 

BDST: 2002 HRS, FEB 01, 2025
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