The image of the country has changed after launching the construction of Padma Bridge: HPM Sheikh Hasina

"The image of the country (before the world) has changed from the day, the government launched the construction work of the bridge with own funding and none would be able now to undermine Bangladesh," she said.

The Prime Minister said: "If we could liberate the country under the leadership of Bangabandhu, why can't we construct the bridge?"

The Prime Minister said this while addressing the Kazi Mahboobullah Award distribution function 2015 at the National Theatre at Shilpakala Academy on Sunday.

Sheikh Hasina said many (people) during and after the Liberation War used to talk about Bangladesh by undermining the country. "Bangladesh is not at that position now . . . it has been possible as we believe in the spirit of the War of Liberation," she said.

Pointing out the launching of the work of the Padma Bridge with own funding, the Premier said: "It has been proved that we could construct such a mega project with our own money ... continuing the trend of development has been possible as the party which liberated the country is now in government," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said many people made many criticisms to the present government about the construction of the Padma Bridge. "Frantic efforts were made to put bad name on us and its main target was me, my family. Cabinet members and secretary -- none were spared from it," she said.

The Prime Minister said concerned banks and donors did not release a single penny. "But such a (hedgy) situation was created at that time that we plundered all money through corruption ... you know well that by whose instigation this happened. I don't to disclose his name," she said.

The Premier said she had taken the entire matter as a challenge, adding that Bangabandhu struggled entire life for independence and sacrificed everything to ensure food and better life for the people. We are doing politics and running the sate with that ideology, she said.

"We never thought about changing our own fortune and amassing wealth and we won't do. So putting such a big bad name was never acceptable to us," she said, adding that that's why she has taken the entire matter as a challenge.

Extending her sincere thanks to the people for standing beside her in the issue of Padma Bridge, she said there were various pressures on the government and a hell-like situation was created for the two years. "Whether they would give money or not, we promised that we would construct the bridge with our own funding and we proved it that we could," she said.

Sheikh Hasina noted that she was given a threat that the funding of the bridge would be stopped if a "specific person" is not reinstated in the managing director post of a bank.

"I had to hear words directly from high officials of a country that funding of the bridge would be stopped if that person is not reinstated in the managing director post of that bank," she said.

The Prime Minister said she had nothing to do in this regard as that person filed a case against the government. "We cannot shoulder the responsibility if anybody lost legal battle . . . it's not the affair of the people and for this, the work of the bridge would be stopped," she said.

"I directly said we would build the bridge with our own funding and we proved it that we could that," she said.

Describing the strength of 16 crore people as the biggest, she said the country is proud of this huge strength. "If we work unitedly except some razakars, we could take Bangladesh to a dignified position," she said.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor was present at the function as the special guest, while Chairman of the trust Zobaida M. Latif presided over it.

Eminent litterateur and writer Selina Hossain addressed the function as the main speaker, while Emeritus Professor and former vice chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Dr AK Azad Chowdhury and Vice-Chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University Professor Dr Khondakar Nasiruddin spoke on behalf of award and scholarship recipients respectively.

Donor member of the trust Begum Nilufar Zafarullah delivered the welcome address and read out a report on the activities of the trust.

Four distinguished personalities of the country got Kazi Mahboobullah Award 2015 for their outstanding contribution to their respective fields. Begum Zebunnesa and Kazi Mahboobullah Jana Kalyan Trust introduced the award in 1978.

Photo: Focus Bangla News