Work with people for crafting a prosperous Bangladesh: HPM Sheikh Hasina to armed forces members

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged members of the armed forces to work with the people for crafting a happy and prosperous Bangladesh with the spirit of the Liberation War.

"Bangladesh should be built with the spirit of the Liberation War. Members of the armed forces must work standing beside the people for their welfare and national uplift," she said while addressing a reception at Senakunja of Dhaka Cantonment marking the Bangladesh Armed Forces Day.

"This country is ours. The socioeconomic condition of the people would be improved ss much as the country would be developed," she said adding that the government is striving for introducing Bangladesh as a dignified nation through acquiring global standard in education, knowledge, scientific studies, sports and other arenas.

"Cooperation and sincere efforts of all are required to make it happen," she said.

The premier hoped that members of the armed forces would be able to uphold their dignity through their service to protect the country and making contribution to national development.

Wishing constant success of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken substantial plans to make it a competent force of the twenty first century.

"Bangladesh Armed Forces, radiant with the ideals of the Liberation War, are our national pride. I hope for constant progress of the force so that they are acclaimed everywhere for their discipline, professional excellence and obedience to chain-of-command," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh Armed Forces has earned universal recognition for its honesty, sincerity, efficiency and multifaceted services for the welfare of the people.

The nation will always gratefully remember their sincere and responsible approaches and services they provide for humanity and protecting the lives and property during any natural disaster side by side protecting the country's independence and sovereignty, she said.

The role of the armed forces in assisting the forcefully displaced people of Myanmar has also been lauded highly at home and abroad, she said.

PM's security advisor Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique (retd) and chiefs of three services were present.

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Acting Chief Justice Abdul Wahhab Miah, Leader of the Opposition Begum Rowshan Ershad, Chief Election Commissioner K M Nurul Huda, cabinet members, leaders of different political parties and professional bodies, senior military officials and their spouses, diplomats and senior government officials joined the reception.

The Prime Minister said Bangabandhu had fought for liberating the country with the aim to build a poverty and hunger free nation, which was the spirit of the Liberation War. But Bangabandhu was killed before his dream came true, tarnishing the country's image of a victorious nation.

Sheikh Hasina said the UNESCO recognition to March 7 speech of Bangabandhu has brightened Bangladesh's image in the international arena, creating a new hope of infusing inspiration in people to build a nation in light of the spirit of the Liberation War. Everybody has to make effort to uphold the honour, she said.

She said her government wants to build a prosperous Bangladesh as dreamt by the Father of the Nation. In view of this the government has undertaken many radical development plans which no government other than hers had taken. At the same time, she said, the government has taken massive programmes for building modern armed forces.

The prime minister said her government after taking office in 1996 had taken many steps for development of every sector including the armed forces. But, the progress remained stagnant from 2001 to 2006 when her party Awami League was not in power. In 2008, people again elected Awami League to power opening a new era of development, including development of the armed forces, which symbolizes the country's independence and sovereignty.

Sheikh Hasina said the armed forces of Bangladesh should be efficient, modern and smart forces as it represents an independent state. In addition, Bangladesh Armed Forces is working abreast with forces of other countries in the UN peacekeeping missions. So the forces should be competent in education, training, technology and other fields.

Appreciating the armed forces for successes in earning global recognition for its role in peace building, stability and security the prime minister said her government is continuing efforts for training of the members of the army, navy and air force and acquisition of modern technologies and armories aimed at building a strong defense force.

In this regard, she said, the Armed Forces Goal-2030 has been formulated according to the defense policy of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and reconstruction and modernization of the three forces are going on gradually under the framework of the goal.

Modernization of the armed forces has ignited self-confidence in the members of the forces, she said.

Pointing out her family bond with the armed forces, the Prime Minister said her brother Sheikh Kamal was a freedom fighter, who had joined Bangladesh Army after liberation. Her brother Sheikh Jamal was a commissioned office in Bangladesh Army and her youngest brother Sheikh Russell wanted to be an army officer as he became fascinated with the discipline of the force. But, bullet of the killers pierced his chest when he was only ten years old, she lamented.

After addressing the audience, the prime minister exchanged pleasantries with the army officials and their family members, diplomats and other guests.

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol