Chittagong Correspondent:
Culture Affairs Minister Advocate Nitai Roy Chowdhury commented that a nation that forgets its history cannot survive. He said that the Ministry of Culture has taken plans to preserve and develop Kalurghat Betar Kendra and Shaheed Zia’s memory. Bringing Kalurghat Radio Center and Zia Memorial Museum under integrated management is under consideration.
He said these things while visiting Chittagong’s historic Kalurghat Swadhin Bangla Betar center on Tuesday (March 24) afternoon.
Stating that it is very important to preserve the glorious history of the Liberation War, the Minister of Culture said that related initiatives will be strengthened to present the memories and heroic stories of the Liberation War to the future generations. The Great Liberation War of 1971 was a universal people’s war, through which the Bengali nation gained independence. Behind this freedom lies a long history of struggle — the beginning of the language movement in 1948, the sacrifice of martyrs in the great language movement of 1952, the popular uprising of 1969 and the historic elections of 1970. In the continuation of these movements and struggles, the Bengali nation reached the ultimate goal of independence.
He also said that after the barbaric attack of the Pakistani invasion forces on the night of March 25, when there was leadershiplessness and uncertainty in the country, martyred President Ziaur Rahman announced independence from Chittagong’s Kalurghat Betar Kendra. Through this announcement, the liberation war was given new momentum and courage and enthusiasm returned among the people. He also said that initiatives will be taken to set up a modern memorial museum, build a sculpture of Shahid Zia and preserve equipment used in historical broadcasting.
An integrated plan is also being made for the visitors, so that they can first visit the Kalurghat wireless center and then visit the respective museums.
The Minister said that the brutal killing of Shahid Zia at Chittagong Circuit House is a painful chapter for the nation, and his contribution in the Liberation War is a part of Bengali pride. The Ministry is working to properly present and preserve these two historical aspects.
Secretary of the Ministry of Culture during the visit. Mofidur Rahman, Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong Dr. Md. Ziauddin, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia and related senior officials and many others were present.