Kalurghat Radio Centre to be preserved, museum to be built: Cultural Minister

The nation that forgets its history cannot survive, said Cultural Affairs Minister Advocate Nitai Roy Chowdhury. To preserve the nation's history, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has undertaken a plan to conserve and develop the Kalurghat Radio Centre and the memory of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman. A proposal to bring the Kalurghat Radio Centre and the Zia Memorial Museum under integrated management is under consideration.

He made these remarks while visiting the historic Kalurghat Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra in Chattogram on Tuesday afternoon, March 24.

The Cultural Minister said preserving the glorious history of the Liberation War is crucial. Initiatives will be strengthened to convey the memory and tales of valour of the Liberation War to future generations. The great Liberation War of 1971 was a universal people's war through which the Bengali nation achieved independence. Behind this independence lies a long history of struggle – the start of the language movement in 1948, the sacrifices of martyrs in the great language movement of 1952, the mass uprising of 1969, and the historic election of 1970. Through the continuity of these movements and struggles, the Bengali nation reached the ultimate goal of independence.

He said, after the brutal attack by Pakistani occupying forces on the dark night of March 25, when leadership vacuum and uncertainty prevailed across the country, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman declared independence from the Kalurghat Radio Centre in Chattogram. This declaration infused new momentum into the Liberation War and restored courage and enthusiasm among the people.

Additionally, initiatives will be taken to establish a modern memorial museum here, construct a sculpture of Shaheed Zia, and preserve the equipment used in the historic broadcast. An integrated plan is also being developed so that visitors can first tour the Kalurghat Radio Centre and then visit the related museum.