Bangladesh no more falling behind: HPM Sheikh Hasina

Highlighting Bangladesh's graduation from the LDC to the status of 'Developing Country', Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is no more falling behind the neighbouring countries. 

The prime minister said this yesterday while addressing a Children's Rally and Cultural Programme marking the 99th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day on Bangabandhu Mausoleum Complex premises here.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh will go ahead with the ideals of the Father of the Nation who dreamt for a hunger and poverty free country and children of present time would turn the dream of Bangabandhu in reality.

The prime minister said "I firmly believe that Inshaallah, we will be able to build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous nation before celebration of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh Independence."

She urged the children to study attentively and take advantages and facilities provided by the government for the education to build them as worthy citizens.

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and Gopalganj district administration jointly organized the rally of schoolchildren of different educational institutions of Tungipara, the birthplace of Bangabandhu.

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki attended the function as the special guest with Arafat Hossain, a student of Class III of SM Government Model Primary School, Gopalganj in the chair.

Priyonti Saha, a student of Class IV of Sonali Swapna Academy, Gopalganj, delivered the welcome addresses.

Secretary of the Women and Children Affairs Ministry Nasima Begum, Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka Bazlul Ahmed and Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner Mokhlesur Rahman Sarkar were present.

Members of the cabinet, cabinet secretary, chiefs of three services, senior leaders of the Awami League, government officials, teachers of different educational institutions attended the function.

The premier released a commemorative postage stamp in memory of Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Bangabandhu. Post and Telecommunications Secretary Shyam Sundar Shikdar and Bangladesh Post Office Director Sushanta Kumar Mandol were present on the occasion.

Sheikh Hasina also unveiled the cover of a children's book on "Amader Chhota Russel Sona". Bangladesh Shishu Academy published the book authored by the Prime Minister. Director of the academy Anzir Liton was present on the occasion.

A video titled "Utbo Jege Chhutbo Bege" was screened on the occasion. The prime minister also opened a book fair and visited a painting exhibition of the children on "Amar Bhabnai 7th March".

Later the prime minister handed over sewing machines to two distressed women of Tungipara and Kotalipara upazila of Gopalganj district.

She also distributed prizes among the children who participated in literary and cultural competitions organized by Gopalganj district administration marking the 98th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation and the National Children's Day.

Advising the children to take lessons of patriotism from the life and works of Bangabandhu, the prime minister said since his boyhood, Bangabandhu used to work for the people.

In school life, she said, Bangabandhu used to give away his schoolbooks and personal belongings to help the poor friends and fellow schoolmates as he deeply felt their sufferings.

Bangabandhu has dedicated his whole life for the cause of the people as he deeply loved them. He wanted to see Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous nation where people would not remain oppressed, intimidated and deprived.

Now the dreams of Bangabandhu are becoming true as the county is progressing ahead under the leadership of the Awami League government, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh was born from a province of a LDC country in 1971 and for many years the country fell behind as it could not progress after the brutal killing of Bangabandhu.

Bangladesh would have been a developed and prosperous nation much ahead if Bangabandhu was alive, she said.

Bangabandhu had got time only three and a half years. By this time he rebuilt the war ravaged country and gave Bangladesh the shape of an independent nation. Sheikh Hasina said there would remain no street children in Bangladesh. Every child will get education and grow up as a human being befitting to the future children around the world. Every children will get food, healthcare services and a decent life, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Awami League was out of power for 21 years and during that time Bangladesh in every front went back. After taking office in 1996, she said, the Awami League had adopted various programmes to take forward the country.

But, disaster descended on the country again when BNP-Jammat led government came to power in 2001. The country was again set to the road of development when Awami League assumed power in 2009, Sheikh Hasina said adding that her government is following the footprint of Bangabandhu and working for changing the lots of the people.

Bangabandhu closely monitored the problems of the people as he groomed up in the village and had close link with them, she said urging the children to read "Bangabandhur Asomapto Atmajiboni and "Karagarer Rojnamcha" to learn about the struggle of his life.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu used to love the children most. Bangabandhu always nourished the expectation that every child would be a worthy citizen of the country.

Highlighting the projects taken by her government for development of children's education, the prime minister said her government has taken many initiatives for their physical and cultural development.

Photo: Saiful Islam Kallol