PM urges new generation to pursue more study in Science

"I would like to tell the students community and the new generation to pursue more study as well as practice and carry out research on science as those are essential for building a hunger and poverty-free Bangladesh," she said.

The Prime Minister also sought all out cooperation of all including scientists, researchers and IT experts to build Bangladesh as a dignified nation on the world stage by keeping its head high. "Without your support and cooperation, it is not possible to take the country ahead further. The country feels your necessity in every sphere..you could make invaluable contribution to the country's development further by practicing more on science and
carrying out research," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing the Gold Medal Award Ceremony 2014 of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS) at Osmani Memorial Hall here this morning.

State Minister for Science and Technology Architect Yeafesh Osman was the special guest at the function. BAS President Professor Dr Mesbahuddin Ahmad delivered the welcome address, while BAS Secretary Professor Dr Mejbahuddin Ahmed gave vote of thanks.

At the function, 22 young and senior scientists were given gold medals for their special contribution to different fields of science.

Sheikh Hasina said there is no dearth of merit in our country and the Bangalees are showing their talent and ability at various parts of the world. "Even our farmers are scientists as they produce crops by encountering various hostile environments," she said.

The Prime Minister said her government has been providing assistance in practising science from its limited resources. "This support would continue and I and my government remain beside you and would stay in future," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the aim of her government is to build a hunger and poverty-free middle income country by 2021, the golden jubilee of independence. "We want to see Bangladesh as one of the developed countries in the world by 2041," she said.

The Prime Minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had dreamt of an exploitation and deprivation- free state, where fundamental rights of the people including food, clothes, healthcare and education will be ensured.

"To materialize his dream, there is no alternative to science and technology," she said, adding that the lot of the common people could be changed through successful application of science and technology. Stressing the need for carrying out massive research on science, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh has already witnessed stunning success in research thanks to her government patronization in this field. "Achieving food autarky is a
manifestation of a success of this research," she said.

"I am not a scientist, I was student of literature. But I understand the importance of science and I learned it from Bangabandhu," she said. Later, the Prime Minister exchanged greetings with the scientists and researchers who were present at the function.