You'll Have To Regain The Trust And Confidence Of The Countrymen: PM To BCL Leadership

"You'll have to regain the trust and confidence of the countrymen in glorious student politics so everybody could see that you could give something to the nation. The BCL could show path to others in such a way," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said some scattered incidents took place in student politics in the past but she did not give indulgence to anybody in this regard.

"I did not tolerate any kind of unjust action in the past and I won't allow it in the future," she said, asserting that such a message will have to be spread all over the country.

The Awami League chief was addressing a view-exchange meeting with the newly elected central committee of the BCL, the student wing of Awami League, including its president and general secretary, and other leaders of different units of the student front at her official Ganobhaban residence here this afternoon.

PM's ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy, newly elected BCL President Saifur Rahman Sohag and General Secretary SM Zakir Hossain, immediate past president of the organization HM Badiuzzaman Sohag also spoke on the occasion while ex-BCL general secretary Siddiqui Nazmul Alam conducted the function.

Sheikh Rehana's son Radwan Mujib Siddique, Joy's wife Christine Overmeyer, Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain and AL Joint Secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak were present on the dais, among others.

Earlier, the newly elected BCL leaders greeted the Prime Minister by presenting bouquets.

Noting that the country had to brave many attacks and storms like heinous act of burning people to death, Sheikh Hasina said that strong organization is needed so that none could anymore burn people to death in the country and could play ducks and drakes with the fate of the country's people.

Pointing out the holding of the just-concluded BCL council and election through transparent ballot box, she said that the BCL leaders and workers have set an example which could be replicated by others. "But, I don't know whether others will follow it or not," she said.

Terming today's BCL leaders as the future leaders of the country and the nation, the Prime Minister said they must develop themselves being imbued with the spirit of the great War of Liberation.

She expressed the hope that the BCL leaders would work with utmost sincerity, integrity and honesty and rising above the greediness in their future working field.

"I wish you success in your working place whether it is politics or other fields," she said.

She asked the leaders and workers of the ruling Awami League's student body to remain firm and solid on the ideals of Bangabandhu and said soldiers following the ideals of the great leader would never be derailed and it was proven in the past.

Congratulating the newly elected leaders, Sheikh Hasina said, representatives elected through direct voting of the councillors must uphold the spirit of the traditional student organization that led the nation in all struggles and movements of establishing rights and democracy.

Recalling the history of Bangladesh Chhatra League, Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu formed it in 1948 and developed it as a leading student front for establishing rights of the Bangalees.

She said the organization had a glorious past and played a crucial role in all struggles and movements starting from the Language Movement. It was Chhatra League that first chanted the historic "Joy Bangla" slogan following the directives of Bangabandhu, she said.

The Prime Minister said Bangabandhu through his charismatic leadership quality realized that Bangladesh would be an independent state and with his farsightedness, fixed the National Anthem and National Flag for independent Bangladesh before the independence.

Referring to the historic 7th March Speech of Bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina said the unparalleled leader's fiery speech has now been recognised as one of the most valuable one in the world history.

Putting emphasis on learning from the firm character of the Father of the Nation, Sheikh Hasina said the leaders and workers must read the book "Unfinished Memoirs of Bagabandhu" as it gives the guidelines and helps know Bangladesh's history afresh.

Vowing again to lift Bangladesh to a mid-income country before 2021 from a lower mid-income status and then turn it into a developed one by 2041, the Prime Minister said that there would be no poverty and illiteracy as her government would fulfill the basic needs of all.

Spelling out the country's achievements in different sectors including ICT, she said Bangladesh has been recognized as a role model in the world thanks to its stunning success on all socioeconomic fronts.

In this connection, she urged the BCL leaders and workers to take preparation in such a way so that they could give proper leadership, take their academic lessons properly and stand on their own feet with self confidence, and could serve the people.

"What I got, it's not a big matter, what I deliver matters. Enjoyment and luxury could not give anything, but many things could be achieved through sacrifice," she mentioned.

At the function, Sheikh Hasina reminisced the birth of her son Joy on this day in 1971 and background of his naming.

Speaking on the occasion, Sajeeb Wazed Joy said that the recent election of the BCL through its 28th National Council has set an example before the nation of holding polls through transparent ballot box.

"I know that there are conspiracies against the BCL, but you have showed that Awami League and Chhatra League are the organizations that uphold democracy," he added.

The PM's ICT Adviser also hoped that the new BCL President and Secretary would take the organization ahead and build the country with the spirit of the War of Liberation and the ideals of Bangabandhu. Later, the Prime Minister cut a cake marking the founding anniversary of the Awami Swechchhasebak League in presence of its leaders.