I come from a country that is very new as a sovereign state. We have passed many years under foreign domination. Foreigners have occupied our land and played with our destiny. We did not have any scope to decide our own fate. This opportunity came to us only with our independence in 1971.
Our nation achieved freedom through a war. But the war of liberation was against an external enemy. Our real war however began after that, in the free world of our independence, against not an external force but against ourselves. This was an all-out war, long drawn and sleepless. It was against the decadence and degeneration, indolence and inefficiency within us. Our enemy this time was our pettiness, greed, inadequacy, and capacity for self-destruction. The realization grew that the Bangladesh we had achieved was not the mythical Golden Bengal, but a Bengal of just plain earth. It was for us to transform it into Golden Bengal with our labor, endeavor, and dedication. Our main struggle therefore was to build a strong and prosperous motherland.
Ladies and gentlemen, we soon left behind the restless phase and our national life began to stabilize. We began moving forward with some confidence. Trade and industry started to grow, and there began an initial capital accumulation. We achieved credible success in various sectors such as education, communication, population, agriculture, etc. There was global recognition for several positive NGO initiatives in Bangladesh, and the civil society movement gradually gained in strength.
This is the context of the establishment of the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in Bangladesh in 1978. We had realized then that we were entering a phase of nation building. Nation builders therefore were the need of the hour-enriched men and women inspired by ideals, dreams, and human values. These men and women would build the nation with their vision, their labor, and their excellence. Bangladesh?s future depends on developing these men and women, and in large numbers.
Little minds and great nations cannot go together. Consequently, our aspiration for greatness as a nation must be matched by our commitment to create enlightened people within the nation. And, therefore, our endeavor is to create for Bangladesh an informed, enriched, and committed generation of future citizens. In this, our focus has been on the youth. We, the older generation, represent the past, while the youth are the future. They are young, impressionable, inquisitive, and receptive. At Bishwo Shahitto Kendro, we are preparing them with qualities of human leadership through the study of books and by engaging them in various cultural activities to promote a spirit of cross-cultural understanding, refined sensibility, and action. They are inspired to pursue great dreams early in life.
Ours is a small country in terms of area, but our population is large. There is a pressing need for humanistic development in the nation as a whole. Therefore, parallel to our effort for enrichment, we have also endeavored to take books and other cultural opportunities to the doorstep of the citizens at large.
Ladies and gentlemen, the awakening of human values is relevant not only for our nation alone, but also in the context of today's world. Materialism has converted everything in this world into consumables. Man today is continuously becoming dehumanized. Mechanization is becoming the inexorable fate of humankind. We may have to witness the painful end of human civilization unless we are able to inculcate in our future generations the finer human values in the face of this overpowering trend of consumerism. This is what we have been trying to do in the limited context of our country.
Distinguished guests, the promise of a prize or an award does not engender action. Initiatives are born in response to the sufferings that we are dogged by constantly. Nevertheless, prizes and awards are a source of great pleasure and satisfaction. These provide not only joy, inspiration, and strength, but also enhance our responsibility. The overpowering darkness and ignorance in our national life prompted me to act. That is all I can say.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award has enhanced my sense of responsibility. And I accept this honor in all humility. I thank you, ladies and gentlemen.