"The world must be proud of him. He had the capacity of building a nation from nothing, from zero," he said while highlighting the life and legacy of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

Mukith, who was the country’s Finance Minister for 10 years, made the remarks while delivering the inaugural lecture titled "Bangabandhu Lecture Series" marking the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs started its "Bangabandhu Lecture Series" on the first day of the month of Victory focusing on the life and legacy of Bangabandhu at the newly-built Foreign Service Academy at State guesthouse Sugandha.

Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Gower Rizvi, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam got connected with it virtually from their residences.

Diplomats from home and abroad, intellectuals, senior officials from public and private sectors were also connected with the event, both in person and virtually.

Nation Building 

Muhith said Bangabandhu, in his three and half years, rebuilt the country and brought it back to the capacity it had before the War of Liberation in 1971. "We were lucky that he had come back to the country alive and took the leadership."

Terming Bangabandhu's assassination the most unexpected one, he said Bangabandhu could not think that anybody in Bangladesh would be assassinating him.

Muhith said Bangabandhu was a very courageous young man with strong determination and no fear. "He is a rare breed of great man."

The former Finance Minister said Bangabandhu always demonstrated his determination and courage as well as generosity and compassion for the poor. 

"As a leader, he demonstrated his gifted position in every possible way," Muhith said, adding that Bangabandhu's dislike for poverty helped him work on removing it as part of his primary commitment. 

The former Finance Minister recalled that they found the great man Bangabandhu had prepared and promulgated a basic law on maritime affairs over four decades ago which they had to amend only in some limited sections. 

"I consider it a great privilege to have known Bangabandhu for quite a long period and work for him for a while," Muhith said.

He expressed happiness for serving under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as Finance Minister for 10 years. "We’ve made some progress in shaping Sonar Bangla of Bangabandhu."

Speaking at the programme, Foreign Minister Dr Momen said, "Today, we’ve started a historic event in the month of Victory."

After the Independence of Bangladesh, Sugandha became Ganobhaban housing first Prime Minister and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from 1972 to 1974, he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated Bangabandhu Centre for Diplomatic Strategy and Research.

Building Sonar Bangla 

The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh is today a vibrant economy and a land of opportunity though it was known as bottomless basket. 

"We’ve to engage ourselves to achieve our goals in 2021, 2030 and 2041 and build a Sonar Bangla," Dr Momen said.

He said Bangladesh would like to tell its stories across the world. 

The Foreign Minister said peace is essential for development and said what is happening in Myanmar must stop.

He said Bangabandhu is an institution and he was a visionary leader.

Dr Momen said Bangabandhu spent his entire life to establish the rights of people, end discrimination, empower people and he was a believer of democracy, the rule of law and people's power.

"Bangabandhu was truly a friend of common people," he added.

Dr Momen said they need to do more research on his life, legacy and way of thinking.

The Foreign Minister said they have decided to honour two outstanding diplomats- one from Bangladesh and another will be from foreign diplomats now serving in Bangladesh. "We hope to declare names on December 16, Victory Day."

He said Bangladesh proposed hosting the World Peace Conference next year marking the 50 years of Independence. "It'll be a gathering of peace lovers across the world."

Paying deep respect to Bangabandhu, State Minister Shahriar Alam urged the foreign countries to help Bangladesh locate the killers of Bangabandhu and send them back to Bangladesh to implement the court verdict. "It’ll be truly a just decision."

The Lecture Series will continue till Mujib Borsho and 50 years celebrations of Independence, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Nobel laureate and Indian economist Amartya Kumar Sen will deliver the keynote speech at the second lecture in January.

Prof Rehman Sobhan is expected to join too at that time.

At least one lecture will be delivered each month.

The Lecture Series will be held at Bangladesh Missions abroad too.

Read Also: MoFA's "Bangabandhu Lecture Series" kicks off Tuesday with Muhith