bangladesh

LIBERATION, RECONSTRUCTION
AND TRAGEDY
1970s
Bangladesh Awami League’s council session (January 20, 1974)
On his return from his confinement in Pakistan on January 10, 1972, Bangabandhu devoted
himself to this stupendous task of reconstruction. We can enumerate the successes of the
Bangabandhu government of 3 years briefly as follows:
(a) Restoration of communication system within the shortest possible time; the clearing
of mines at Chittagong and Chalna Ports
(b) Rehabilitation of 10 million refugees who had taken shelter in India
(c) Granting of economic aid to the families of martyred freedom fighters
(d) Rehabilitation of narly 3 lakh women who were dishonoured during the War
(e) Sending of disabled freedom-fighters abroad for treatment
(f) Ensuring the return of the Indian forces within 3 months of the Liberation
(g) Framing of one of the world’s best constitutions within 10 months
(h) Introduction of Parliamentary system
(i) Holding of general elections in 1973 (AL won 293 out of 300 seats)
(j) Reorganization of the Defence Forces
(k) Appointment of the Kudrat-e-Khuda Education Commission for framing a scientific
and secular education policy
(l) The promulgation of a democratic ordinance for the universities (1973)
(m) Nationalization of 40 thousand primary schools
(n) Winning of recognition by 140 nations of the world
(o) Singing the Ganges-Water Sharing Treaty with India ensuring 44,000 cusecs of water
for Bangladesh; etc,
Despite the severe handicaps under which the government had to undertake these tasks, the
record of achievements was significant. It is worth quoting the judgement on food distribution
expressed in a World Bank report:
“The refugees have returned and been resetteled. By and large, relief food distribution appears
to have been effectively handled. There have been reports of corruption but more observers
feel that the food has gone where it has been needed most badly. Enough food has been
brought in and distributed to prevent widespread famine.”
A World Bank Report of November 1972 dealing with the reconomic activity in major sectors
reported progress as follows:
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