Government is Working to Establish a Well-trained Armed Forces: PM

"That's why we have allocated increased money for the armed forces in the national budgets and formulated the armed forces goal 2030," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing the graduation ceremony of National Defence College (NDC) and Armed Forces War (AFW) Course-2014 at Mirpur Cantonment here this morning.

Commandant of NDC Lieutenant General Mollah Fazle Akbar also spoke at the function.

Ministers, parliament members, chiefs of three services, vice-chancellors of different universities, diplomats and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.

Sheikh Hasina expressed her firm confidence that the armed forces will continue to maintain its high standards in its efforts, efficiency and professionalism.

"Bangladesh is proud of its armed forces which were born during the War of Liberation. Our patriotic armed forces always were with the people to meet their hopes and aspirations. I hope, they will do the same in future," she said.

In continuation of the forces goal, she said, the government has procured equipment including fourth generation tank MBT-2000, self-propelled guns, Radars, APC for the army and modern helicopters for army aviation.

"For a three-dimensional navy, procurement of submarine is underway and we hope that the submarine would be inducted in the navy by 2016. Besides, helicopter, marine petrol aircraft, modern frigate and vessels were procured to meet the newer challenges," she said.

The Prime Minister said her government has ensured that the armed forces will have access to latest technologies and equipment.

"Adequate training facilities have been established and operationalized," she said.

The armed forces members, she said, have always worked with integrity, commitment and diligence to help the people in times of natural and other calamities and disasters.

Sheikh Hasina said they have implemented strategic infrastructure projects and worked generally at very high standards at both home and abroad. "They have earned very good reputation at home and abroad through their activities," she added.

"I hope this partnership between the people and the armed forces will gather more strength with the passage of time," she said.

The Prime Minister also called for increasing economic relations among the developing countries to diversify and strengthen their economies.

"We are living in a more prosperous and connected world which is also now more vulnerable to events that cannot be anticipated. The developing countries have to accommodate with the policy designs of the international community and therefore remain extremely vulnerable to shocks originating from the developed world," she said.

In this situation, she added, it is a must that the developing countries forge increasing economic relations among themselves to diversify and strengthen their economies.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has resolved many security problems that were constraining bilateral relations. "The vision was to develop an integrated regional economy," she said.

Expressing her happiness at the beginning of the implementation of that vision, Sheikh Hasina said the South Asian region, in last five years and eleven months, has seen substantial progress on security issues, bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation.

Congratulating the graduates for completion of the hectic and challenging NDC and AFW Course, the Prime Minister said she is very happy to know that the graduates have learned different aspects of a state, including socio-political culture, economy, international relations and national security.

"You have also studied problems of governance and different solutions to this problem," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the people are living in a globalised multi-polar world, where continuously improving technologies are increasing connections among all the people, providing solutions and sometimes naturally creating adverse effects too.

"We have ensured legitimate safeguards in light of national security concerns but also successfully encouraged effective use of technology," she said.

The Prime Minister said the main objectives of the War of Liberation were to establish democracy, and exploitation free, secular and just society. "Braving various odds, we have been striving hard to ensure these principles in our politics, economy and governing systems," she said.

Before 1996, Sheikh Hasina said, there was no institution for the higher training of senior and junior officers of armed forces in the country.

"We established the National Defence College during our 1996-2001 tenure and this institution has turned into an internationally reputed training institution. It is indeed a matter of pride for us," she said.

The Prime Minister expressed her happiness that the National Defence College is dedicated to train the operational and strategic leaders from home and abroad, from militaries to civil services and the policy makers. "They are contributing to the promotion of a culture of peace, accountability and transparency," she said.

Putting emphasis on maintaining the standards of the college and continuing its development, Sheikh Hasina hoped that the officials who received training from the college would usher in a new horizon of stability, development and empowerment of the people through their knowledge, will and commitment.

As many as 48 persons took part from Bangladesh in this year's NDC course. Of them 28 Brigadiers General from Bangladesh Army, four Commodores from Bangladesh Navy, three Group Captains from Bangladesh Air Force, 11 joint secretaries from administration and other cadres of civil services, one director general from Foreign Service and one deputy inspector general from Bangladesh Police participated in the course.

Besides, 28 overseas course members from 11 friendly countries participated in the NDC Course-2014.

A total of 35 persons took part in this year's AFW Course. Of them, six Lieutenants Colonel from Bangladesh Army, two captains and three commanders from Bangladesh Navy, one group captain and three wing commanders from Bangladesh Air Force.

-Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)