PM Sheikh Hasina directs Bangladesh Armed Forces to uphold reputation in UN Peacekeeping missions

"We are still a leading peacekeeper contributor of the UN peacekeeping missions ... we won't tolerate any kind of indulgence from our peacekeepers that taints the goodwill of our armed forces," she said.

"We want that the reputation of our armed forces be retained ... we want who wherever are working would perform their responsibilities by maintaining dignity. We don't want that the name and fame of the armed forces be 'questionable'," she added.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing the graduation ceremony of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) Course 2015-16 at Mirpur Cantonment here this morning.

DSCSC Commandant Major General Sajjadul Haque delivered the welcome address at the function.

Ministers, the leader of the opposition, the chiefs of the three services, parliament members, diplomats and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.

Describing the armed forces as a "symbol" of the country's independence and sovereignty, the Premier also asked the members of the armed forces to be "constantly ready" for making any sacrifice for safeguarding independence and sovereignty.

"You will have to always keep prepare yourselves to face any kind of challenge and give leadership .... you will have to finish your work with self confidence and to be always ready for making any sacrifice for protecting independence and sovereignty," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman presented independence and sovereignty to the nation.

"In the absence of Bangabandhu, we have to follow the path of prosperity showed by him to achieve economic emancipation. For that our armed forces have to be ready to face any kind of challenge with farsightedness in the battle of financial liberty," she said.

The Premier said alongside the noble responsibility for safeguarding independence and sovereignty, the members of the patriotic armed forces are making significant contributions to the fields of natural calamities like Sidr and Aila.

Sheikh Hasina said they have stood beside the people even risking their lives while tackling "manmade disasters" like Tazrin Fashion and Rana Plaza incidents.

"They are showing their capability of observing special development activities and massive infrastructure construction ... our armed forces act as aides of civil administration in different purposes including maintaining law and order situation," the PM said.

Not only in the country, she said, the members of the armed forces have also earned name and fame in foreign countries through their honesty, dedication and professional efficiencies.

The Premier said Bangladesh armed forces are contributing significantly to restoration of democracy, social development, health and education in different countries under the emblem of UN missions.

"Their success has further brightened the image of Bangladesh," she said.

As per UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon, she said, Bangladesh is now holding the leading role of delivering UN peacekeepers at ongoing peacekeeping missions in various countries. "Bangladesh is considered as the top peacekeepers contributing country."

Sheikh Hasina said at present 8,501 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have been working in 11 missions of the world out of 16 ongoing UN peacekeeping missions.

Spelling out her government's stunning success in all sectors including agriculture, education, health, economy and infrastructure, the Prime Minister said her administration has already ensured food security due to its various pragmatic steps.

"We have not only become self-reliant in food, we have also become a "food surplus" country as there is a stock of 14 lakh metric tons of surplus rice in the godowns now," she said.

She said the country is constructing a mega project like the Padma Bridge through its own funding. But ill efforts were made to undermine the country regarding the (construction) of Padma Bridge, she said

"The dignity of the country is a "big matter" for me, I don't want that Bangladesh be undermined ... I want Bangladesh always move keeping its head high, not begging to others. To achieve the goal, we will have to be economically self-reliant," she said.

The Prime Minister called upon all including the armed forces to work unitedly to build a hunger and poverty-free prosperous "Sonar Bangla" as dreamt by Bangabandhu.

While talking about the establishment of the DSCSC, Sheikh Hasina said the institution was founded for the higher training of the armed forces officers.

"With the passage of time, this institution has been acclaimed in both national and international arenas as a unique military educational institution ... we are indeed proud of that," she said.

The Premier said it's also a matter of pride that from the inception, the college has successfully completed 40 Staff Courses for the Army, 34 Courses for the Navy and 36 Courses for the Air Force.

"A total of 927 officers from the armed forces of our 38 friendly countries around the globe have also obtained 'psc' degree from the college," she said congratulating the Commandant, faculty members, officers and all staff of the college on such splendid success.

The Prime Minister said her government has already taken up projects to extend infrastructural facilities of the college.

"In this connection, this multi-storied academic complex and other installations have been commissioned ... I firmly believe that this will increase the training capability of this college," she said.

Sheikh Hasina congratulated the graduates for successfully completing this higher course on military science through their hard work and perseverance.

"Undoubtedly, the day is a memorable one in your life ... I am sure that the knowledge you acquired through the training would help you discharge your professional responsibilities more befittingly," she said.

"You will be able to face any sort of challenge confidently. Not only that I presume that from this moment you are ready to undertake higher leadership role," she said.

The Prime Minister said she is very happy to know that a total of 11 female officers have been graduated this year.

"It is encouraging to see that increased number of female officers are graduating every year ... it clearly indicates "women empowerment" in the armed forces and the country as well," she added.

Earlier, the Prime Minister gave away the certificates among the graduating officers.

In the 2015-16 DSCSC Course, a total of 268 officers including 158 officers from Bangladesh Army, 23 officers from Navy and 20 officers from Air Force have successfully been graduated from the college.

Besides, 67 overseas officers from Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Liberia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Turkey, Uganda, USA and Zambia were graduated from this college this year.