Dear Brothers and Sisters of Bangladesh,
I compose this not as an observer but as an individual attuned to the essence of our cherished nation – a country interlaced with rivers, melodies, and steadfast aspirations. Bangladesh transcends mere cartographic representation; it embodies the essence coursing through our veins, the resonance of our forebears’ sacrifices, and the unspoken sorrow of a mother who aspires for her children to construct a country as magnificent as her aspirations.
We are a populace forged by adversity — emerging from the remnants of conflict, from the echoes of Ekushey February, from the lamentations of the famished, and from the resilience of laboring hands under the scorching heat. Our ancestors did not struggle just for a nation liberated from colonial domination. They advocated for justice, dignity, and a future in which no kid would succumb to corruption or poverty.
Nevertheless, we find ourselves in this situation.
Today, our hearts are burdened. Our streets are congested not just with individuals but also with the burden of treachery. Politics, intended initially as a holy instrument for the populace, has often devolved into a platform where authority intertwines with avarice. From the thrones of Dhaka to the tiniest union parishad, many have neglected the notion that leadership is not a crown to don but a burden to bear – characterized by integrity, sacrifice, and compassion.
Wealth has transformed into the allure that entices many individuals into this nest of deception. Regardless of who ascends to power — by election or manipulation — they seem to partake from the same tainted chalice.
However, I implore you — the very essence of Bangladesh — to be hopeful.
This land remains your property. The aspiration of Bangladesh remains alive. It resides in the rickshaw driver who vocalizes while navigating through dust-laden lanes. It resides in the schoolgirl traversing kilometers with books clutched to her bosom. It resides inside the farmer who sows seeds with calloused hands, murmuring bismillah as he anticipates rain.
The populace constitutes the genuine custodians of our country.
We must cease anticipating the emergence of heroes from the political sphere and embody the heroes our nation needs. Let us reconstruct Bangladesh with integrity in our hearts and solidarity in our actions. Let us cast our votes not for symbols or pledges but for honesty and foresight. Let us articulate our voices, not alone in digital spaces but also inside our communities, workplaces, and places of worship.
Let us cherish Bangladesh not as a property but as our ultimate and eternal love.
Let our patriotism be fervent—not in wrath but in accountability. Let us cease modifying our voices for ephemeral solutions. Let us educate our youngsters to understand that fairness is not an illusion and that development should not include neglecting the impoverished.
Our population comprises 170 million individuals. If each lights even a solitary candle in their darkness, Bangladesh will radiate so brilliantly that no shade can last.
Let us begin. Today.
With optimism and conviction,
A compatriot visionary from Bangladesh
Legal Researcher and Educator
Founder Director, Shah Legal Aid and Research Centre
