After the brutal Liberation War lasting nine months in 1971, Bangladesh emerged victorious and gained the right to be recognized as a country on the global stage after declaring independence. Bangladesh recently marked the golden jubilee of independence and the centenary of Bangabandhu through a 10-day celebration, with a discussion held at the National Parade Ground in Dhaka on the theme "Banglar Mati, Amar Mati" (Bengal's Soil, My Soil). The event was attended by author Selina Hossain, Education Minister Dipu Moni, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, as well as Nepal's President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Bangladesh's President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Selina emphasized that Sheikh Mujib established the foundation of the secular Bengali nationalist identity worldwide. She mentioned that Bangabandhu had requested to change the name of East Pakistan to Purbo Bangla during his speech to the assembly on August 25, 1955. She quoted his words, stating that he would not dishonour his Bengali nation in his death and would not beg for forgiveness. She also quoted from a speech delivered by Bangabandhu after his release from a Pakistani jail, where he proclaimed "Joy Bangla, Free Bangla, Bengali is my nation, Bangla is my language, the land of Bangla is my place." Shahriar quoted from a rally on June 7, 1972, where Bangabandhu declared, "Today I can say that I am a Bengali; I can say that Bengali is a nation; I can say that Bangla's soil is my soil." She emphasized that despite his killers taking him away, they continue to follow the path he laid out for them. Dipu Moni described him as the eternal source of their inspiration, while Bhandari emphasized that Bangabandhu had not only captured the affection of Bengalis but also held a respected position as a leader in the region. Hamid urged politicians to set aside their differences and focus on helping the country's marginalized population, using the spirit of independence and Bangabandhu's principles to guide them towards a better future. To mark both occasions, Hasina urged world leaders to prioritize sustainable development and cautioned that efforts to adapt to climate change will not be effective in protecting the most vulnerable countries unless the current trend is reversed. The second session of the event featured a performance by an orchestra, traditional Nepalese dance, and a Jatrapala drama titled 'Ma, Mati O Manush'. Following this, 100 folk singers performed together in chorus. The President of the Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa have already traveled to Bangladesh to participate in the festivities, while the Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are among those who have been invited.