HPM Sheikh Hasina hopes NDC graduates to work for nation's self reliance

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has appreciated the role of the NDC to train up the high officials of civil and military administrations saying quite a number of those trained officials are mak a ng remarkable contribution to national development as well as in the international arena.

She expressed her firm belief that being inspired by the NDC motto- 'Security through Knowledge'- the graduates of the institution will take the nation towards self-reliance and sustainable development.

The prime minister was addressing the graduation ceremony of NDC and AFWC-2017 at Sheikh Hasina Complex of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) in Mirpur Cantonment on Monday.

Sheikh Hasina said her government is making constant efforts to make the armed forces a modern one. For this, she said, the government has ensured access of the armed forces to latest technologies and equipment. 

Sheikh Hasina said the strategic importance of Bangladesh in international arena is gradually growing. Bangladesh is playing a significant role in promoting international and regional fraternity and unity.

"The core tenet of our foreign policy is: Friendship to all, malice to none. Inspired by the spirit of this outstanding policy coined by our father of the nation, we are committed to promoting par excellence of international relations," she said.

In his welcome address Commandant of the NDC Lieutenant General Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardi thanked the Prime Minister for her patronization, guidance and special attention to development of the college since its inception.

This year a total of 53 officials including 29 Brigadier General of Bangladesh Army, 5 Commodore of Bangladesh Navy, two Air Commodore and three Group Captain of Bangladesh Air Force, 11 Joint Secretaries of civil service, two DIGs of Bangladesh Police and Director General of the Foreign Ministry took part in the National Defence Course, 2017. Besides, 27 foreign officials including three from India, three from Sri Lanka, ten from Nigeria, two from Saudi Arabia and one each from Egypt, Indonesia, Malyasia, Nepal, Naizer, Oman, Pakistan, Tanzania and USA took part in the course.

In the Armed Forces War Course (AFWC) 25 Lieutenant Colonels, one Captain and four Commander of Bangladesh Navy, four Group Captain and one Wing Commander took part.

Cabinet members, parliament members, cabinet secretary, chiefs of three services, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, senior civil and military officials, vice chancellors and professors of different universities, distinguished persons and envoys of different countries were present.

The Prime Minister said she is happy to know that the college is actively promoting democratic values, rule of law, political culture and human rights among the course members.

"You will work to spread the same message across our nation-states," she hoped.

Sheikh Hasina said prior to 1996, there was no institution for the higher training of senior and mid ranking officers of armed forces in the country. Her government, during 1996-2001 tenure, had established the National Defence College (NDC).

"The institution is now turned into an internationally reputed training institution. It is indeed a matter of pride for us," she said.

The prime minister said beyond the boundaries of our armed forces, NDC as an institution of strategic importance which is equally accepted and acclaimed in the non-military domain of Bangladesh.

Apart from NDC and AFWC, Capstone courses run by the NDC have been imparting significant knowledge on the functions of state machinery, international affairs and other quintessential issues related to the governance to the participants representing the policy making echelon of the state, Sheikh Hasina said.

"Verily, NDC has been working as an important milestone along the complex highway of Civil-Military relations," she said.

The prime minister said the NDC 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.

"The officials have been carrying out high responsibilities in their respective services. I am also glad to note that ex-graduates from this institution have been becoming cabinet secretary, chiefs of services or chief of police," she said.

"Even successful businessmen and professors of the country, members of parliament are showing interest to participate in the NDC Capstone Course. The college would have to maintain the standards and continue its development," she added.

The premier said her government has been working to establish professional and well-trained armed forces. We closely monitor the ever-changing war-crafts and technologies; continuously review the capabilities of our Armed Forces and take timely actions to modernize the Armed Forces to meet the multi-dimensional challenges of 21st century, she added.

The Armed Forces members have always worked with integrity, commitment and diligence to help the people in times of natural and other calamities and disasters; they have implemented strategic infrastructure projects and worked with very high standards at both home and abroad.

The prime minister said despite various limitations, her government has never hesitated to respond to humanitarian calls. Referring to her government's initiative to give shelter and humanitarian assistance to over one million Rohingya refugees displaced from Myanmar she said Bangladesh has now been lauded as a compassionate and respectable member in today's world.

"Besides international realm, in the domestic sector, our government has been setting impressive footprints in the fields of human resource development, female education, women empowerment and sustained economic development for the people of Bangladesh as a whole," the premier said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has already crossed the threshold of the poverty and promoted ourselves into a middle income nation. We hope to transform ourselves into a middle income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041, Insha Allah," she said.

"Despite our continuous efforts, there remain certain challenges. However, with the training that you have just completed, I believe, you will be able to contribute better in mitigating those challenges," the prime minister said.

Congratulating the graduates on successful completion of the one-year long hectic and challenging National Defence Course and Armed Forces War Course, the prime minister said she was very happy to know that the graduates have learned different aspects of a state, including socio-political culture, economy, international relations and national security as well as studying problems of governance and different solutions to the problems.

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol