Though our hearts are heavy at the price paid for freedom, it is also
a day to look back upon the stories of freedom fighters, both Bangalee
and foreign who took it upon themselves to fight for and in many
instances, die for the ideals that drove us to seek independence. We
recall the visionary leadership of the time as we acknowledge the
assistance of India in caring for ten million refugees seeking shelter
away from the massacre. But most of all, we will never forget the
resoluteness of 70million Banaglees who never wavered from the belief
that the cause of freedom was a just one which they strove to achieve in
a do-or-die struggle. This morning we recall the sacrifices that went
into the making of our finest hour and the eternal source of inspiration
that we will return to year after year. It devolves upon the present
generation and those to come to live up to the aspirations generated by
our victory in 1971.