Hasina
Keep pace with modern era to build a prosperous Bangladesh, PM tells young talents
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked the students to keep pace with the modern era through acquiring knowledge of ever evolving technology and science to take the country towards development and prosperity.
"You have to go with the modern era. We have to step forward keeping pace with the flourishing of technology and science," she told the winners of countrywide “Bangabandhu Innovative Talent Hunt 2022” competition, at a function held at the International Mother Language Institute.
The premier joined the programme virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
She mentioned that the government has given immense importance to research on science, health, livestocks, agriculture and other subjects.
"Actually research can show us the path," she said.
Hasina hoped that the talents of the youths and new generation will advance the country with their innovative thinking and creativity.
She asked the new generation to devote themselves to building the country as developed and prosperous Golden Bengal.
"Through the practices of science and obtaining modern technological know-how we will be able to move the country ahead and the new generation will be able to do that," she said.
PM Hasina called for finding out the talented youths of the country to use their talents and creativity in the development of the country.
"We have to use their talents and creativity for tomorrow's developed Bangladesh," she said.
READ: PM Hasina seeks more investment from Kuwait
PM Hasina opens Padma Bridge cheered by jubilant nation
Bangladesh wrote another golden chapter in history on Saturday when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the Padma Bridge turning the nation’s dream into a reality.
A jubilant nation cheered the prime minister as she unveiled the plaque and mural-1 at Mawa end of the 6.15-km bridge, the longest such infrastructure in the country built with own funds, at around 12 pm. A munahat was also offered.
Then the prime got on the bridge and stood midway for some time when she witnessed a spectacular fly-past displayed by Air Force to mark the gala event. Later, she drove Jajira end and unveiled the plaque and mural-2 there at 12:36pm. Another munajat was also offered there.
Later, Hasina addressed a mammoth rally at Kathalbari in Shibchar of Madaripur, which was organised by her party –Bangladesh Awami League.
READ: PM opens Padma Bridge, dedicates it to people of Bangladesh
PM to witness flood devastation in the north on Tuesday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will visit the flood-hit northern region including Sylhet and Netrakona on Tuesday to see for herself the devastation and the measures taken to mitigate the sufferings of the marooned people.
“The PM will leave for Sylhet in the morning by a helicopter from Dhaka. On the way, she will monitor Netrakona district’s flood situation from the helicopter by lowering it,” said a PMO Official.
Also read: Provide emergency banking services in flood-hit areas: BB
Her helicopter will land at MAG Osmani International Airport in Sylhet, he said.
Shafiqur Rahman, incumbent president of Sylhet Awami League said “The PM will come to see the sufferings of the flood-hit people and measures taken to control the situation.”
Also read: One lakh flood-affected people evacuated in Sylhet, Sunamganj
PM credits AL for robust economic growth
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said it was because of the Awami League Bangladesh could attain over five percent GDP growth during the pandemic when many developed countries saw negative growth.
“We have given budget for FY2022-23, when many developed countries are having negative GDP growth, Bangladesh maintained its growth over five percent,” she said.
She said this while leaders of Awami League and its associated bodies greeted her at the Ganobhaban marking the 14th anniversary of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s release from prison.
On this day in 2008, Hasina was released from the special sub-jail set up on the premises of the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) Building after remaining captive there for nearly 11 months.
The Awami League president was arrested from her Sudha Sadan residence at Dhanmondi on July 16, 2007 during the military-backed caretaker government, which assumed power in the political changeover of 1/11 in 2007.
Sheikh Hasina said that Awami League always has to step forward defying all odds and hurdles.
Also read: Villagers to get specialized healthcare services online at home: PM
She said that whenever she was arrested she sent letters to the people, and leaders and activists of Awami League for giving them directives.
She said that in 1983 she was arrested after her return in the country. At that time she was taken to the DGFI office.
“I never bow down to anyone and never begged from anyone. I got the lesson from my father and family not to bow to anything unjust.”
She said that leaders and activists of AL always choose the right path and she also saw it during the time of Bangabandhu.
She recalled that the caretaker government was compelled to free her due to the movement and pressure from her party. They became surprised when they saw that Awami League collected 25 lakh signatures in just 15 days.
“This is Awami League, people are our strength,” she said.
In this connection, she mentioned that people are not the strength for the BNP as their birth happened through illegal system.
Also read: Balance development with environment, PM tells at event on World Environment Day
Recalling her jail days during the army backed caretaker government she said that she noted down how the country will be governed and how the party will be run.
“I noted down how we will develop the country, as a result there is electricity connection now in every house,” she said.
Slamming the critics of achievements of Bangladesh, she said this section of people can't accept the country's development.
“I do not know why they are so mean minded and why they have such kind of poor mentality,” she said.
She said that the government has provided COVID-19 vaccines free of cost to the people.
“We know how to do the welfare of the people,” she said.
In this regard she said that defying heavy international obstacles the government constructed the Padma Bridge with its own resources.
“The Father of the Nation liberated the country, this Independence can not go in-vein, we will do our job, we will change the fate of the mass people, no matter who say what,” she said.
She also said that the government has formulated Delta Plan 2100 for the future generations so that they could get a prosperous life.
Grassroots dev is our focus, says Hasina on receiving CIRDAP award
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said her government is developing the country in a planned manner from the grassroots.
“My party Awami League has given priority for the development of rural areas of the country as desired development is not possible leaving the grass root people behind,” she said.
The premier said this while receiving “Azizul Haque Polli Unnayan Padak-2021” (Azizul Haque Rural Development Award-2021) from CIRDAP Director General Dr Cherdsak Virapat at a ceremony at her official residence Ganobhaban.
The Bangladesh-based Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) has honoured the prime minister with the prestigious award in recognition of her contribution to rural development.
Hasina said that the country would achieve desired development and prosperity once rural development is ensured.
READ: Proud to contribute to Bangladesh's impressive development journey: Nordic envoys
She said the Awami League had undertaken necessary plan even when it was outside the state power and that is why after coming to power, it has been able to take the country ahead by working as per its plan.
Pointing out “Amar Bari Amar Khamar” (My Home, My Farm) project, the PM said, her brain child project helped create employment opportunities for the unemployed poor people and there by ensured their socio-economic development.
She mentioned about the digital centre that stated from a remote area named Char Kukri Mukri.
She also said that her government is now implementing the programme My Home, My Farm to ensure the rural people could stand on their own feet and create employment opportunities for others.
She mentioned about the community clinics for providing healthcare facilities to the doorsteps of the rural people.
Hasina to unveil Padma Bridge on June 25
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate Padma Bridge on June 25, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said.
Read: PM Hasina: I had to redesign the Padma Bridge to make it longer
"The bridge will be named after the river Padma only and not after anyone in the Bangabandhu family. Hasina will inaugurate the bridge at 10am on June 25," he told reporters after a meeting with the PM at Ganobhaban on Tuesday.
Bridges Authority has, meanwhile, said that the revised cost of the ambitious Padma Bridge project is Tk 30,193.39 crore.
Read: Padma Bridge not AL’s ancestral property: BNP
According to the progress report of the project received last April, work on the bridge was 92% complete. At the time, the work of river management was 90.50% done. In addition, the carpeting work of the main bridge was 66% complete.
Hasina congratulates Han Duck-soo on his appointment as PM of Republic of Korea
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday greeted Han Duck-soo on his appointment as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea.
She said that Bangladesh and the Republic of Korea enjoy excellent bilateral relations based on shared values, mutual respect, and common aspirations.
“Our relationship experienced tremendous growth in depth and dimensions over time. The Republic of Korea is now a key economic and development partner of Bangladesh. In recent years, our bilateral trade and investments have witnessed a substantial expansion leading to an enhanced presence of Korean companies and entities in Bangladesh,” she said in a letter to the new Korean Prime Minister.
Also read: PM Hasina greets Australian Labor Party leader Norman on his party’s win in election
She mentioned that the current development trajectories of the two countries render enormous potential for a deeper, comprehensive partnership for the benefit of our two peoples.
“With more than a decade of accelerated economic growth and remarkable progress in other key sectors, Bangladesh now offers enormous opportunities to its partners like Korea,” she said.
In this connection she said the government is implementing numerous initiatives and mega projects to modernise the country and enhance the economy's competitiveness.
She expressed her deep confidence that the bonds of friendship, understanding, and cooperation that so happily exist between the two friendly countries will be further strengthened during Han Duck-soo’s term in office.
She expressed her eagerness to closely working with him to further consolidate the bilateral ties and advance regional and global issues of common interests.
Also read: South Korea committed to deepen ties with Bangladesh through EPS prog: Envoy
Sheikh Hasina initiated the new Prime Minister to pay a visit to Bangladesh at a mutually convenient schedule with a view to grab an opportunity to jointly identify the common priorities to take the bilateral relation to a new height.
She wished the new PM good health, happiness, and continued peace and prosperity to the friendly people of the Republic of Korea.
Hasina, Rehana lay foundation of Mujib Pathagar at Dhanmandi-32
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana on Saturday laid the foundation of 'Mujib Pathagar' (library) at 32 Dhanmandi in the city.
Speaking on the occasion the prime minister said that the library being built by Bangabandhu Memorial Trust will help the younger generation know true history of Bangladesh and the supreme role played by the father of the nation in achieving the country's independence in 1971.
She said that the nation was deprived of knowing the true history on Bangladesh and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for many years after his assassination in 1975.
Also read: PM: Encourage children to take to sports to become good citizens
The PM said repeated attempts were made by anti-liberation forces to erase the name of Bangandhu from history.
"It won't be possible now as the new generation is aware of true history," she said.
Briefing reporters Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary K M Shakhawat Moon said Hasina and Rehana, daughters of Bangabandu, offered munajat on the occasion.
The premier recalled that the anti-liberation forces had promulgated an indemnity ordinance to prevent the trial of Bangabandhu's killers in 1975.
Back to power in 1996 the Awami League government revoked the black ordinance paving the way for holding the trial of the killers and relieving the nation of years of stigma.
Also read: PM urges US companies to boost investment in Bangladesh
Hasina said her only goal has been to build a happy and prosperous “Sonar Bangla” and bring smiles on the faces of the people as dreamt by Bangabandhu.
Bangabandhu's grandson Radwan Mujib Siddiq was present at the event.
Don’t go to foreigners with complaints: PM to labour leaders
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday urged the labour leaders not to make any complaint to foreigners against the country.
“As long as Awami League or I am in power, we can assure that we can solve the problem if any here,” she said, criticizing a section of labour leaders who take their problems to foreigners.
The prime minister was addressing a function marking the historic May Day from her official residence Ganobhaban through a videoconference.
READ: PM: AL comes to power through election, not by back door
The Labour and Employment Ministry arranged the function at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre here.
Hasina said her government has done a lot for the welfare of the workers. Even then there are some labour leaders who like to make complaints whenever they see any foreigner.
The PM said she doesn’t know the reason for this mental poverty or whether the interest of any other is involved here.
“We’ll be able to solve our own problems in the country. I would like to tell the labour leaders don’t cry before the foreigners, rather come to me if you have any problem. If there is anything (benefit) that needs to be materialized from the owners, it is me who can do it,” she said.
The premier said she believes that the problem can be solved through negotiations between the owners and the workers.
Today’s Bangladesh has attained food autarky and can implement 90 per cent of Annual Development Programme (ADP) with its own funds, which is a huge departure from total dependence on foreign assistance in the past.
“Why will we complain to others about our own country? We don’t want it. Bangladesh will move with self-dignity,” said the PM.
She stressed the need for maintaining a cordial relation between the industrial owners and the workers for the sake of development.
Provide money to labour welfare fund properly: PM to the owners
Noting that her government formed the fund of Bangladesh Labour Welfare Foundation, the prime minister said it is very unfortunate that many owners have yet to contribute their share to the fund.
“I think it should be given properly. Because, when anyone falls in trouble, you have to stand beside the person,” she said, adding that it can’t be right that “you reap the benefits of their labour, but you won’t stand beside them in their bad days.”
Hasina asked the owners and all others concerned to take care of the fund issue.
She said her government increased the minimum monthly wage for a worker in the RMG and other sectors from Tk 1,600 to Tk 8,000 in three phases since coming to power in 2009.
The PM questioned how many times the wage had been enhanced in the 21 years after 1975. “We always are sincere to ensure a safe work environment, welfare for the workers and social safety for them,” she added.
She said there was no scope for formation of trade unions under the EPZ law. Since the investors used to show reluctance to make investment in case of having rights of trade union, her government formulated the law with a provision for the labour welfare organisation, changing the name of trade union, she said.
Under the provision of the labour welfare organisation, now the workers can enjoy the trade union-like right there. “We ensured the system just by changing the name,” said Hasina.
She said the government has taken measures to eliminate the child labour from the country. Bangladesh has gained tremendous success in eliminating the use of children in hazardous jobs, she added.
Hasina said Bangladesh signed 36 conventions and protocols of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and she doesn’t know if any other country has done so much.
She said none is more conscious about labour rights other than Awami League or AL government.
Read: PM wishes joyous and safe Eid to all
Presided over by State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian, the function was addressed by Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour and Employment Ministry Mujibul Haque, Labour and Employment Secretary Ehsan-E-Elahi, ILO Country Director in Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen, President of Bangladesh Employers’ Federation Ardashir Kabir and acting president of Jatiya Sramik League Nur Kutub Alam Mannan.
On behalf of the PM, Monnujan handed the cheques of financial assistance to the families of 10 workers.
The May Day, also known as the International Workers' Solidarity Day, is observed across the world on May 01 every year, commemorating the historic uprising of working people in the US city of Chicago at the height of a prolonged fight for an eight-hour workday in the late nineteenth century.
PM: AL comes to power through election, not by back door
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday categorically said that her party Awami League comes to power always through election and never by the back door.“We want the democratic process to continue. The Awami League came to power with mandate from the voters in the elections and it never used the back door,” she said.Hasina, chief of the ruling party, said this in her introductory speech at the Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC) meeting, which she chaired at her official residence Ganobhaban.The prime minister thanked the people of the country for repeatedly voting her party to power.“Due to this the country witnessed huge development in the last 13 years leading to their rising living standard,” she said adding, “Awami League is the party of people and land of this country.”She also put emphasis on the continuation of the pace of the development.
Also read: PM: Bangladesh Railway is now a profitable organisationOnce again Hasina questioned about the existence of the leadership of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). “Where is their leadership?,” she wondered.
“Rightists, leftists and extreme leftists have now joined with them,” she said.Hasina criticised a section of erudite people who always look to others to get some power for them.“They defame the country from abroad as if foreign powers will put them in the state power,” she said.She underscored the need for strengthening her party further as the election is coming nearer.
She mentioned that Awami League always holds its council regularly.“The next council is knocking at the door. We have completed many of the tasks as pledged in our election pledges,” she said adding, “We have to more tasks to do.”Talking about the move of the BNP-Jamaat clique and their alliances to oust the government she once again questioned the logic behind it.
“What is the fault of the Awami League? In which area we have failed,” she questioned.The PM said that his government has put importance on the development of the rural areas since 2009.“As a result, the infrastructures of the rural areas have improved a lot and people could go to their village homes smoothly,” she said.In this connection, she mentioned that this year people could go their villages hassle free to meet their loved ones during the Eid-ul-Fitr festival. She thanked the communications minister for this.“This type of public movement (from cities to villages) increased money circulation in the rural areas which is beneficial for the economy of the country,” she said.
Also read: No one to stay homeless in Bangladesh, PM declares after providing homes to about 33,000 destitute familiesShe said that Bangladesh has now become the role model of the development in the world. “We will follow our own path to develop the country and will move around the world keeping our heads high,” she said.Referring to the gifting some 33,000 houses to homeless people, the prime minister reiterated that her government will ensure that no one remains homeless in the country.