Mr. President of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh,
Distinguished Fellows, Guests,
Members of the Society,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamu Alaikum.

It is a great pleasure for me to spend this morning with the scholars, academics, educational and intellectual luminaries of the country on this happy occasion of the 12th Biennial General Meeting of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. As the Chief Patron of this esteemed Organization, I welcome you and wish you a happy New Year.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is extremely gratifying to note that the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh has made a tremendous contribution towards the advancement of knowledge and human understanding among the nations of Asia since its inception in 1952. The Society’s ceaseless efforts to maintain its tradition and commitment to disseminating and promoting learning and knowledge over the last five decades deserve appreciation. The Society has already carved a niche in the academic world for its standard publications and research pursuits. The Society has redeemed the nation’s honour on the cultural and academic front through its publication of standard journals, research books and academic achievements. We can boast of the Society’s illustrious publications namely The National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh, History of Bangladesh, Bangladesh on the Threshold of the 21st Century, Administration of Justice in Bangladesh, Golden Jubilee Volume, a trilogy of Archaeological Sites (Mainamati-Devaparvata, Sonargaon-Panam and Gawr-Lakhnawati). I have come to know that the two pride Projects such as the Cultural Survey of Bangladesh and the Encyclopedia Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh are nearing completion. I know that the Society has recently instituted a President’s Award for honouring scholars and academicians of great distinction. It is, no doubt, a laudable work to promote research and creative works of high quality from our scholars and academics leading to national renaissance and regeneration. I am happy to know that the government has been extended its all-out cooperation in augmenting Society’s academic venture by donating grant.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our scholars and academics prefer to live in a rarefied academic atmosphere. They must forgo insularity and come down from the ivory tower and share the sorrows and joys of the common people. Their writings must reflect the thoughts, sentiments and aspirations of the common people. The interest of the nation should be the overriding consideration in their writings. The intelligentsia have great role to play in highlighting the nation’s history, culture, heritage and achievements both at home and abroad.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The present government is committed to encourage education at all levels and promote academic, cultural and intellectual pursuits in the country upholding its tradition and heritage. If we want our nation to march towards progress and prosperity, peace and stability, we must keep all the educational institutions of the country suitable for real education and create real academic atmosphere where our teachers can devote themselves to imparting real knowledge and the students groom themselves to becoming worthy citizens of the country. Teachers as the conscience-keeper of the nation can contribute to the development of the nation with their wisdom, learning and talent.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you know our mission is to build a modern and prosperous Bangladesh free from hunger, illiteracy, superstition and exploitation. I call upon the scholars, academicians and intellectuals of the country to come forward to contribute to the development of the country through their writings. As a worthy nation we have to face the challenge of the 21st century by exploiting our human resource, scientific and technological know-how. As a scholarly organization, the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh can contribute more to the development of a democratic, politically, economically and culturally sound society. I wish the Society’s academic odyssey a grand success.

Let us, Ladies and Gentlemen, work unitedly in building a happy and prosperous Bangladesh.

Allah Hafez, Bangladesh Zindabad.