Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has stressed the need for a united cultural renaissance in favour of development and humanity to take forward the country to turn it a Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
"I think there is a need for a strong cultural renaissance across the country against communalism and highlight patriotism, development, and humanity keeping people united. My request to you all, let’s come together," he said while speaking as the chief guest at a book and music video launching ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, eminent economist Dr Qazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmad and lyricist Hasanuzzaman Masum, among others spoke.
They unveiled the book titled “Padma Bridge: An Epic Accomplishment” which was edited by Khaliquzzaman.
They also launched a new music video with the singers Kishore Das, Joy Shahriar, Zakia S Kornia and Elita Karim.
The foreign minister said many newspapers made headlines and there were a lot of criticisms in TV talk-shows demonstrating that the Padma Bridge project is not going to be implemented.
He said the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) came up with sharper criticism after World Bank’s scrapping of committed loans.
“How could there be corruption where no funds were released? Luckily, the Canadian court concluded that no corruption was found,” Hasan said.
Those who spoke wrong at that time did neither acknowledge their mistakes nor seek apology to the nation despite the Canadian court’s verdict, he observed.
Shahriar Alam said the Padma Bridge is a shining example of Bangladeshi people’s resilience and walking against the tide.
Now the entire world knows that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina brings Bangladesh at this stage going against the tide, he said, adding that “We have many exemplary achievements.”
“We will work together and build Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla overcoming the challenges ahead,” Shahriar said.
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Khaliquzzaman said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s announcement to build the dream bridge with its own resources sent a strong message to the world that Bangladesh can march forward with its own capacity.
“It shows the strong political and economic capability of Bangladesh,” he added.