1973 in Bangladesh

The year 1973 was the second year after the independence of Bangladesh. It was also the second year of the first post-independence government in Bangladesh.

Incumbents

Economy

Note: For the year 1973 average official exchange rate for BDT was 7.85 per US$.

Events

7 March: First general election of Bangladesh is held, Bangladesh Awami League secures majority.
17 April: a tornado in the Manikganj region had killed at least 681 people.
17 July: The first amendment was made to the constitution. The amendment inserted an additional clause, Article 47, that states that any law regarding prosecution or punishment of war crimes cannot be declared void or unlawful on grounds of unconstitutionality. A new Article 47A was also added, which specifies that certain fundamental rights will be inapplicable in those cases.
28 August: India, Pakistan and Bangladesh signed a trilateral agreement, termed the Delhi Agreement, allowing the repatriation of prisoners of war and interned officials held in the three countries after the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
6 September: Bangladesh joins Non-Aligned Movement.
22 September: The second amendment of the constitution was passed, allowing the suspension of some fundamental rights of citizens during a state of emergency.
12 November: Bangladesh joined FAO.
15 December: Gallantry awards of the war declared in Bangladesh Gazette.
Establishment of the National Library of Bangladesh.
The Shanti Bahini guerrillas, mostly members of the Chakma tribe, took up arms after Bangladesh rejected their demands for autonomy over 5,500 sq.-mile region bordering India and Burma. They also demanded the removal of more than 300,000 settlers from their tribal homeland.

Awards and recognitions

Seven freedom fighters killed in action during the Liberation War of 1971 were awarded Bir Sreshtho title on 15 December 1973:

Sports

International football:

* On 27 July, football team made their international debut, in a 2–2 draw against Thailand at the 1973 Merdeka Tournament held in Malaysia. Enayetur Rahman Khan scored the country's first ever international goal.
* On 13 August, Bangladesh national football team got their first ever victory by defeating Singapore 1–0, thanks to a goal from AKM Nowsheruzzaman.Domestic football:
* BIDC won the Dhaka First Division Football League title, while Abahani Krira Chakra, Mohammedan SC and Dhaka Wanderers came out joint runners-up.
* BRTC Sports Club won the Dhaka Second Division Football League title, earning promotion to the First Division.
* Brothers Union won the Dhaka Third Division Football League, earning promotion to the Second Division.
* In November, Dinamo Minsk from Soviet Union toured Dhaka, Jessore and Comilla, and played four exhibition matches between 5 and 14 November.

Births

Deaths

17 July - Fazlul Qadir Chaudhry, politician
29 August - Syed Hedayetullah, academic and researcher
22 December - Abdul Karim, soil scientist