The Awami League was established on June 23, 1949, amidst religious deception and discrimination following the partition. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a young leader of the Awami League, transformed the party into one for the people by traveling extensively across the country to understand public grievances. Consequently, Bangabandhu, the Awami League, and Bangladesh secured a permanent place in the hearts of the Bengali people. This connection empowered the party to lead every significant movement in the Bengali liberation struggle, culminating in the independence achieved through the Great Liberation War 1971. Subsequently, the Bangladesh Awami League, under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter, Sheikh Hasina, continued working towards the goals of national liberation.
Despite the assassination of Bangabandhu, his family members, and four national leaders in 1975, attempts by extremist dictators to eradicate the Awami League failed. With unwavering resolve, Sheikh Hasina revitalized the party, overthrowing dictatorial regimes and pledging to bring the benefits of freedom to the Bengali people. Her leadership liberated the nation from the anarchy and exploitation of the BNP-Jamaat alliance, establishing Bangladesh as a respected country globally.
One of the Awami League’s most notable achievements was organizing the liberation struggle for two decades, uniting people from various backgrounds. This led to the establishment of an independent state through the Liberation War. The party also facilitated the repatriation of allied forces within three months of independence, rebuilt the nation, and gained international recognition. The visionary leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman garnered global acceptance for the newly independent country. However, following the murder of Bangabandhu and other leaders in 1975, Bangladesh lost its international standing under extremist and dictatorial rule.
In 1996, under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, the Awami League formed the government and began rebuilding the nation. Remarkably, the country faced the devastating floods of 1998, which submerged 70 percent without any loss of life due to the government’s practical relief efforts. After regaining power in 2009, the Awami League established Bangladesh as a middle-income developing country, freed it from militancy and extremism, and digitized it within 12 years under Sheikh Hasina’s IT advisor, Sajeeb Wazed Joy. The United Nations and the international community have praised Bangladesh’s rise from a state once plagued by hunger, poverty, and extremism.
The vision of ‘Smart Bangladesh’ aims to keep pace with the developed world. When Sheikh Hasina took office in 2009, only 47 percent of the population had access to electricity, with frequent load-shedding. Within a decade, the Awami League government achieved 100 percent electrification and extended internet access to every home, creating new job opportunities in rural areas. The government also made mobile phones and the internet widely available, breaking the BNP-Jamaat monopoly. Digital banking systems were launched, enabling over eight crore people to engage in economic activities through mobile transactions.
Bangladesh now exports software and digital services worth 1.7 billion dollars, with 650,000 freelancers earning over 500 million annually through outsourcing. The government aims to reach at least 5 billion dollars in exports from this sector by 2025. The World Economic Forum predicts that Bangladesh will be the 24th largest economy by 2030, and the Awami League is working towards 100 percent digital inclusion under the ‘Smart Bangladesh’ initiative.
The UN has recognized Bangladesh’s potential as a developing nation, and if current development trends continue, Digital Bangladesh will soon join the ranks of developed countries. This rapid transformation is attributed to the Awami League’s visionary initiatives, fostering hope and optimism for the future.
The Awami League has also focused on women’s emancipation and economic progress. Bangabandhu introduced free education for women and a 10 percent quota in government jobs after independence. The current government reserves 60 percent of primary teaching positions for women, increasing the number of female teachers and students. The Awami League aims to educate future generations and strengthen the economy by empowering women financially and socially.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Awami League leaders and activists risked their lives to support the people, providing medical assistance, essentials, and cash to low-income households. The government also built durable buildings and barriers to protect coastal areas from natural disasters. The eighth five-year plan (2021-2025) aims to create 11.67 million job opportunities and reduce extreme poverty to 7.4 percent, working towards a humane society with reduced social inequality.
Sheikh Hasina’s government has arranged interest-free loans for low-income individuals, established rural savings banks, and constructed houses for nearly one million landless and homeless people. These initiatives address basic needs and empower the populace.
Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League government has made significant strides in developing Bangladesh’s infrastructure, sports, and cultural landscape, greatly enhancing the quality of life and national pride. The country’s communication network with the capital has undergone a remarkable transformation, with highways being upgraded to four and six lanes, facilitating more accessible and faster travel from remote areas to urban centers. This has benefited marginal farmers and small traders by improving their market access.
Today, Bangladesh boasts a well-developed highway infrastructure spanning 22,476 km, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted transportation of goods and passengers. Under various completed and ongoing projects, 851.62 km of National Highways have been upgraded to four lanes or more. Ambitious plans are also to construct 12 and 10 more elevated expressways by 2041. The Prime Minister recently inaugurated 100 bridges in 25 districts across seven divisions, totaling 5,494 meters. Furthermore, 100 highways have been developed in 50 districts across eight divisions.
The railway network has also expanded significantly, growing from 2,356 kilometers to 3,486 kilometers. At the same time, the length of highways has nearly tripled to 32,678 km, and rural roads have expanded 76 times to 237,446 km. The introduction of Bangladesh’s first Metrorail, operating from Uttara to Motijheel in Dhaka, has become an emblem of daily comfort for commuters. The construction of the country’s first tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chittagong has connected the two parts of this vital business hub. The multipurpose bridge over the Padma River has also enhanced connectivity, and the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, with a capacity of 1200 MW, is set to begin power generation soon.
In sports, the Awami League government has continued to build on the foundation laid by Bangabandhu, promoting a robust sports culture that has brought international recognition to Bangladesh. The government’s support has been instrumental in the successes of both men’s and women’s sports teams. The Bangladesh football team achieved significant milestones, including winning the SAFF Championship 1999. Cricket, too, has seen phenomenal growth, with the national squad gaining ODI status in 1997 and Test status in 2000, thanks to strategic diplomatic efforts. The women’s cricket team has followed suit, obtaining ODI status in 2011, winning the Asia Cup in 2018, and achieving Test status in 2021. The women’s football team also made history by winning the SAFF Championship in 2022, and the U-19 women’s team secured the South Asian championship in 2021.
Culturally, the Awami League has fostered a vibrant environment that celebrates and promotes Bangladesh’s rich heritage and contemporary achievements. The government’s initiatives have included Organizing international cultural events, Supporting the arts, and Promoting cultural exchanges that have projected a positive image of Bangladesh on the global stage. These efforts have enhanced national pride and attracted international attention and admiration.
Under the Awami League’s leadership, Bangladesh has achieved significant diplomatic and territorial milestones. The government successfully negotiated land boundary agreements and maritime borders, strengthening national sovereignty. Additionally, the launch of Bangladesh’s first satellite, Bangabandhu-1, into space marked a significant technological and aspirational achievement for the nation, showcasing its potential on the global stage.
Moreover, other mega projects, such as the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, the Karnaphuli Tunnel, and the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, illustrate the government’s commitment to modernizing the country’s infrastructure and energy capacity. These projects, alongside the expansion of the Metrorail system, not only symbolize progress but also create a robust foundation for future economic growth and development.
These accomplishments reflect the Awami League’s vision and commitment to advancing Bangladesh’s infrastructural, technological, sports, and cultural capabilities, positioning the nation as a rising power on the global stage.
Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu!
Dr. Fakhrul Islam Babu 孫逸仙
Vice President
Bangladesh Awami League,
Hong Kong Executive Committee