Today marks the 49 years of our existence as sovereign nation. On this day in 1971, our struggle for independence following a nine-month war was rewarded with a richly deserved victory that came at the cost of unimaginable loss of life and persecution. We should always remember with a deep sense of gratitude, the enormous contributions of the freedom fighters who fought and bled on the ground and the leading role of Bangabandhu and his four trusted lieutenants in steering us to this moment. Together their efforts and sacrifices, as well as that of countless other individuals both at home and abroad, paved the way for the fulfillment of the Bengali dream for self-determination.