Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam today stressed the need to make Bangladesh’s tourism sector more inclusive, people-friendly, safe, sustainable and internationally competitive by upholding the spirit of the July Mass Uprising.

“The martyrs and injured fighters of the July Mass Uprising are courageous participants in a unique chapter of our national history,” she said while addressing a programme at Parjatan Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon this evening. 

Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) organised the reception and discussion marking July Mass Uprising Day 2026 to honour family members of July martyrs and injured July fighters.

Afroza said Bangladesh’s tourism sector could play an important role in harnessing the country’s economic potential, creating employment and fostering national unity and cultural harmony.

She said the sacrifices of the July martyrs and injured fighters should not merely be remembered through ceremonial observances; rather, their dreams, expectations and aspirations should be reflected in building a humane, discrimination-free and dignified Bangladesh.

“Showing respect to the families of the martyrs and standing beside the injured fighters are our moral and state responsibilities,” the minister said.

“The mother who lost her child and the father who carried the body of his child on his shoulders know the pain of losing a child. It is because of your contribution that we are standing here and speaking today,” she said.

Afroza said the July fighters had saved the country from fascist misrule.

Announcing several facilities for the July fighters, the minister said they would be offered a 36% discount at hotels operated by Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation to commemorate “36 July”.

She said initiatives would also be taken to create employment opportunities for July fighters and provide them with special discounts on Biman Bangladesh Airlines tickets.

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said arrangements would be made to provide July fighters with free entry to tourism attractions as well as employment opportunities in organisations under the ministry.

Recalling his involvement in the July movement, Millat said the previous fascist government had imprisoned him along with senior BNP leaders towards the end of the movement in an attempt to make it leaderless.

“Had we not won the movement, we would not have been in the position we are in today,” he said.

Millat said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had formed a cell named “Amra BNP Poribar” during the movement and he himself was a proud member of it.

“We gained an independent country through the Liberation War of 1971, and through the movement of 2024, we regained our sovereignty. I express my profound respect and gratitude to the fighters of 2024,” he said.

He said the sacrifices of July demonstrated that a country’s true progress could not be measured only through infrastructure or economic indicators, as ensuring human dignity, rights, justice and equal opportunities remained the fundamental objectives of development.

State Minister for Planning Md Jonaed Abdur Rahim Saki said the sacrifices of the July Mass Uprising had entrusted the nation with the historic responsibility of building a new Bangladesh.

He said people’s aspirations, equal opportunities and social justice should be given the highest priority in development planning.

“The current government is busy fulfilling the aspirations of July, not competing to take credit for July,” Saki said, urging everyone to discharge their responsibilities from their respective positions.

BPC Chairman Md Samimuzzaman, who chaired the programme, said honouring the July martyrs and injured fighters was not merely a ceremonial exercise but an expression of the corporation’s gratitude, responsibility and national consciousness.

He said BPC would work to build a tourism industry that would contribute to economic advancement, create employment, harness the potential of youths, engage local communities and showcase Bangladesh’s history, culture and natural beauty to the world.

At the programme, prize bonds and commemorative crests were presented to family members of July martyrs and injured July fighters.

Family members of five July martyrs and five injured July fighters attended the event.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Fahmida Akhtar, NDC, senior government officials, tourism-sector stakeholders, BPC officials and employees, journalists and invited guests were also present.