The "Sonar Bangla" dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is now becoming a reality, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan said Sunday.

He said the killers were able to murder Bangabandhu but they could not kill his dreams and ideals.

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Hassan said Bangladesh has emerged as a role model of development in the world under the prudent and visionary leadership of Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina.

"The RMG sector has played a major role in the achievements of Bangladesh. The apparel sector would continue its contribution to accelerating the economic growth of Bangladesh," said the BGMEA chief.

To strike a balance between lives and livelihoods, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took the prudent and bold decision of keeping the RMG industry open amid the Covid-19.

The decision has helped the sector address the challenges unfolded by the pandemic and move ahead amid the crisis, he added while addressing a discussion and a special prayer in observance of the 46th martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Faruque Hassan chaired the programme held at the BGMEA office in Uttara, which was attended by the trade association's vice-presidents Shahidullah Azim and Miran Ali; directors Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee, Md Mohiuddin Rubel, Abdullah Hil Rakib, Haroon Ar Rashid, Navidul Huq, Rajiv Chowdhury, Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Md Imranur Rahman, Mijanur Rahman and former vice-president Mohammed Nasir.

A video on the life and works of was shown at the beginning of the program.

BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim said that Fidel Castro remarked: "I have not seen the Himalayas. But I have seen Sheikh Mujib. In personality and in courage, this man is the Himalayas. I have thus had the experience of witnessing the Himalayas."

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"The people who didn’t want the country’s liberation and victory of the Bengalis had killed Sheikh Mujib along with most of his family members. Bangladesh has become a role model in the world under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister. Bangladesh has attained the status of a middle-income country," he added.

BGMEA Director Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the dreamer of the Bengali nation. "Inspired by his dream, Bangladesh is moving ahead along the path of economic emancipation under the great leadership of his daughter, the prime minister."

BGMEA Director Abdullah Hil Rakib said Bangabandhu brought freedom for them and also international recognition of Bangladesh by branding the country at the UN General Assembly in 1974.Director Haroon Ar Rashid said Bangladesh would not have been born if Bangabandhu were not born. "We want the trial of fugitive killers of Bangabandhu."

Director Navidul Huq said the next generations need to know the dreams of Bangabandhu and go by his ideals.

BGMEA Director Md. Imranur Rahman said Bangabandhu sacrificed his life for independence of Bangladesh. "Inspired by his ideals entrepreneurs in the garment industry have been striving to take the country forward."

BGMEA Director Mijanur Rahman said the country is moving forward with the ideals of Bangabandhu. "The garment export sector is following his directives and moving the country forward."

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Former Vice President Mohammed Nasir said Bangabandhu, in his 55 years of life, spent 4692 days in prison for the cause of liberation of the country.

"His daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is doing what he left behind. Insha Allah, under the dynamic leadership of the Prime Minister, we will build Bangladesh as a developed country, “Sonar Bangla” as dreamt by Bangabandhu," he said.