BIDS commemorated the Bangabandhu Birth Centenary by publishing two volumes of a book titled “Readings in Bangladesh Development” (Editors: K.A.S. Murshid, Minhaj Mahmud and Kazi Iqbal).  The Book Launching Program was held on 10 March 2021, Wednesday at 11.00 am by using both the online zoom platform and presence of BIDS staffs at BIDS conference room. This is BIDS’ tribute to the memory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Father of the Nation, whose birth centenary is being nationally celebrated.

In these volumes the articles included are compiled of research carried out by BIDS researchers over the period 1972-2020 on many critical aspects of development, and thus outlines a development journey that will inform, inspire, and hopefully encourage further explorations in our contemporary economic history.

Dr. K.A.S. Murshid, Director General, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) was the chair of the event. He started the program by reflecting the contributions of Bangabandhu as our national hero; who inspired the struggle for an independent Bangladesh through his sacrifice, vision, and courage. Then he discussed the basic structure of governance and broad policy directions set by Bangabandhu, that admirably served the country on its development journey. 

The eminent panelists of the webinar Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Chairman, Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF pointed out Bangbandhu’s personal characteristics as a leader, socialist and patriot and how should the next generation would cherish and follow these qualities.  Dr. Binayak Sen, Research Director, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) reviewed these two volumes keeping in mind the progress of the development of Bangladesh through these fifty years of timeline. 

Dr. Mashiur Rahman, Economic Affairs Adviser to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and Professor Dr. Gowher Rizvi, International Relation Affairs Adviser to the Hon’ble Prime Minister discussed contribution of Bangabandhu in setting the basic pillars of Bangladesh and how BIDS as an autonomous research contribution assisted the Government in different stages of policy making in all these years.

Professor Rehman Sobhan, Chairman, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), was Chief Guest for the webinar and he discussed the philosophy of Bangabandhu as a socialist and how he envisioned the development of independent Bangladesh in the earlier years of independence.