Uphold spirit of Liberation war: PM at Dhaka Cantonment

Mentioning that the Bangalees are a victorious nation as it had earned its independence through a hard-fought struggle,Sheikh Hasina said that this nation does not know to bow their heads. The Prime Minister expressed her firm commitment to establishing Bangladesh as a peaceful and dignified nation in South Asia. "We want to establish Bangladesh as a developed, prosperous and dignified nation, a peaceful nation in South Asia so that we can move ahead in global arena keeping our head high," she said.

Listing various steps of her government for the welfare of the freedom fighters and their family members, the Premier said that her government has taken many steps so that the freedom fighters and their family members do not experience the sufferings from poverty. "As long as I live, whether I remain in power or in the opposition, I'm giving my words that I would do whatever possible on behalf of myself for the treatment and accommodation of the freedom fighters," she said. Shekh Hasina said the aim of her government is to ensure a better life for the freedom fighters. "I feel pain when I see that they are suffering from poverty and engaged in such works,which is not at all respectable for us," she added.

She said that the retirement age of the freedom fighter government officials and employees have been raised to 60 years from 57 apart from keeping 30 percent quota in government jobs for the children of freedom fighters and martyred freedom fighters alongside keeping 5 percent quota for admission in various public educational institutions. 

Besides, she said, some two lakh freedom fighters are now receiving monthly allowances of Taka 5,000, while monthly allowances of the Bir Shreshtha martyred families have been raised to Taka 14,400 as well as the allowances of some 2,500 shaheed families to Taka 7,020. 

The Prime Minister said over Taka 61 crore was given as state allowances to some 7,838 war-wounded freedom fighters in fiscal year 2010-11 which was raised by 20 percent for the next fiscal. Though the allowances that the government has been providing to the freedom fighters and their family members would not be able to evaluate their real sacrifices for the motherland, the Prime Minister said that the government has tried its best so that they don't feel pain for financial sufferings.

Earlier, the Prime Minister distributed cheques, mobile sets and shawls as gifts to some selected gallantry award recipient freedom fighters and their successors at the function.

Source: BSS & other news agencies