United News of Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday assured the country’s people not to be worried over the global crisis caused by the Middle East war but urged them to exercise restraint and avoid extravagance in state functions and family spending. “Even amid the global war situation, we are trying to keep everything normal. Although fuel prices, including diesel, have been increased in all countries across the world, the current government has not raised prices in order to avoid public suffering,” he said. Addressing the ‘Independence Award-2026’ ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital, Tarique said the government is spending hundreds of crores of taka every day in subsidies in the fuel and energy sector to maintain stability and keep the situation normal. He said the government is continuing all possible efforts to ensure public welfare as this is a government of people and accountable to them. He said the new BNP-led government has started its journey amid a fragile economy weakened by corruption and mismanagement along with a weak governance structure and a deteriorating law and order situation. Restoring peace and security in public life through improving law and order and strictly controlling corruption is one of the government’s key priorities, Tarique observed. Stating that Bangladesh currently has a large working-age population, he said creating employment opportunities for this group is one of the major challenges at present. “Not only the economy, the education system also suffered a major setback during the fascist rule. Unfortunately, even during the interim government period order in the education system has not been restored,” the Prime Minister said. In today’s competitive world, the education system must be modernised and made job-oriented to ensure survival, he said, adding that work has already begun to make the education system more practical. Tarique said more than half of the country’s population are women and no initiative can succeed easily unless a safe Bangladesh is ensured for them. He said the government has identified each sector and started implementing its action plans. The Prime Minister said the government earlier presented its election manifesto to people and signed the ‘July Charter’ with a commitment to state reform. PM confers ‘Independence Award’ on Khaleda, others “ People have supported all our commitments. Now it is time for implementation. We have already started working on fulfilling our promises,” he said. Tarique said his government will implement the party manifesto and every clause and word of the signed July Charter. “Personally, I believe that change in mindset is more important than changes on paper. The BNP government has proved it repeatedly whenever it has had the opportunity to run the state,” he said. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh gained independence at the cost of many lives and has now completed 55 years as an independent nation.“We have both achievements and shortcomings. To build a self-reliant and prosperous Bangladesh, we must avoid revenge, retaliation and unnecessary controversy,” he said. Quoting BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman, Tarique said, “National unity is our strength, division is our weakness.” Tarique said differences of opinion are natural in a democracy but they should not turn into hostility. “We must remain alert about the country’s interest as anti-Bangladesh forces are still waiting for opportunities.” He remembered the role and contributions of all national leaders of the country’s independence and Liberation War history including Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, with deep respect and affection. “If we, for narrow partisan interests, fail to respectfully acknowledge the roles of our national leaders in history, then future history will not forgive us. I believe that hesitation in accepting historical truth reflects inferiority,” Tarique said. Earlier, the Prime Minister conferred the ‘Independence Award-2026’ on 15 distinguished individuals, including former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and five institutions, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the country. He recalled that BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman introduced the award. The Independence Award is the country’s highest civilian honour, given in recognition of outstanding contributions by individuals and institutions to the nation. Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani conducted the programme and presented brief profiles of all the award recipients. Prime Minister’s spouse Dr Zubaida Rahman, daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman and Khaleda Zia’s sister Selima Islam were present at the programme organised by the Cabinet Division. Local Government Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman, members of the cabinet, MPs, judges, chiefs of the three services, diplomats, senior civil and military officials, and other dignitaries were present at the programme. The Cabinet Division earlier announced the names of the nominees for this year’s Independence Award through a press release on March 5. The Independence Award is the country’s highest civilian honour introduced in 1977 and awarded annually on the occasion of Independence Day on March 26.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday conferred the ‘Independence Award-2026’ on 15 distinguished individuals, including former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and five institutions in recognition of their glorious and outstanding contributions to the country. The awards were handed over at a ceremony held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. Of the recipients, seven people were awarded posthumously. Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani conducted the programme and presented brief profiles of all the award recipients. Khaleda Zia was awarded posthumously for her overall contributions to independence, democracy, women’s education and nation-building. On behalf of Khaleda Zia, her granddaughter and Prime Minister’s daughter Barrister Zaima Rahman received the award. Among others, Major Mohammad Abdul Jalil was honoured posthumously for his contribution to the Liberation War, while Faujdarhat Cadet College was recognised for its role in the war as an institution. In science and technology category, Prof Dr Zahurul Karim received the award, while Dhaka Medical College Hospital was honoured for its contribution to medical science. The award for literature went posthumously to Dr Ashraf Siddiqui. In the cultural field, Hanif Sanket (AKM Hanif) and Bashir Ahmed (posthumous) were honoured. Jobera Rahman (Linu) received the award in sports. For contributions to rural development, the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) was recognised. In the category of social service and public service, the recipients included Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury (posthumous), SOS Children’s Villages International in Bangladesh, Md Saidul Haque, Gonoshasthaya Kendra and Maherin Chowdhury (posthumous). Kazi Fazlur Rahman was honoured posthumously for his contribution to public administration. In research and training, the recipients were Mohammad Abdul Baki, Prof Dr MA Rahim and Prof Dr Sukomal Barua. Abdul Mukit Majumder (Mukit Majumder Babu) received the award for his contribution to environmental conservation. Prime Minister’s spouse Dr Zubaida Rahman and Khaleda Zia’s sister Selima Islam were present at the programme organised by the Cabinet Division. Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman, members of the cabinet, MPs, judges, chiefs of the three services, diplomats, senior civil and military officials, and other dignitaries were present at the programme. The Cabinet Division earlier announced the names of the nominees for this year’s Independence Award on March 5. The Independence Award is the country’s highest civilian award, introduced in 1977 and awarded annually on the occasion of Independence Day that falls on March 26.