Dhaka, March 16 -- Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released from his internment in Pakistan in the first week of January 1972 and eventually returned to Dhaka, the capital of independent Bangladesh amidst an ecstatic welcome on January 10, 1972. On the way he stopped over in London and New Delhi. The return of Father of the Nation completed our struggle for independence.

I recall the historic role that he played as the master helmsman during 1972 and subsequently over the next three years. It was his commitment and his vision that enabled him to safely guide our ship through troubled waters amidst a devastated post war scenario. It was his significant contribution that facilitated our move towards democracy and institution building...