Hasina
Hasina urges joint Asia-Pacific action to meet water-related challenges
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday urged the Asia-Pacific countries to combine forces to share good practices, knowledge and technologies to help address their water related common challenges.
She made the call in a video statement that was played in the Fourth Asia-Pacific Water Summit held at Kumamoto in Japan.
She also said that a basin-wise approach is needed to manage the waters of trans-boundary rivers.
“We attach importance to regional or sub-regional cooperation, including for hydro-power generation and transmission,” she said.
Hasina said that the today's human beings are accountable to the future generations to deliver on their international commitments on water, including the water related SDGs.
“Our youths must be empowered so that they can become responsible actors for water inclusiveness, efficiency and sustainability,” she said.
The PM said that water is vital for life and it is fundamental for sustainable development and for promoting a culture of peace.
“We need to ensure sound water management to ‘build back better’ from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,” she added.
She recalled that in 2016, she was a member of the UN High-level Panel on Water that adopted a ‘Call to Action’.
READ: PM Hasina lauds Dhaka-Delhi cooperation on Covid-19 pandemic
"The mid-term review of the Water Action Decade next year will provide us a platform in implementing the action agenda," she said adding that the Kumamoto Declaration will be a useful contribution to that process.
In Bangladesh, she said, the government has taken an inclusive, whole-of-society approach to water management where more than 85 per cent of its people have access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation facilities.
“We have almost ended open defecation. Our fight against water-borne diseases is a continuous effort. From next month, we shall administer 2.3 million cholera vaccines in the capital city,” she said.
The premier also said that Bangladesh is considered a “role model” in water related disaster management.
She mentioned that the investments in flood embankments, cyclone shelters, coastal polders, green belts, floating agriculture, river dredging, urban storm water drainage systems have increased Bangladesh’s resilience.
“We have benefited from developing early warning systems and community-based interventions. Our floodplain management aims at managing the seasonal variations in water availability,” she said.
The prime minister said that Bangladesh has drawn up a cross-sectoral Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 to work towards a resilient and prosperous delta.
She said that the government is hosting an International Financing Conference next month for mobilizing resources for implementing projects under the Plan.
“We look forward to using the sediment loads flowing into the Bay of Bengal for reclaiming and elevating lands in our coastal areas. Bangladesh also stands ready to harness the untapped potentials of Blue Economy,” she said.
Talking about the climate change issue, Hasina said that Bangladesh is aware of the immense impacts of climate change on water.
“We see growing saline intrusion in our coastal areas. We also see a sharp decline in ground water level in some parts of the country. Our government is giving emphasis on nature-based solutions, including on rainwater harvesting,” she added.
In this regard, she said that the scientists have been working on developing salinity and water-resistant, and drought-tolerant crops, and already invented a number of varieties.
“We are taking an eco-system based approach to protecting our wetlands. We recognize our rivers to be living entities,” she said.
Kumamoto City of Japan and Asia-Pacific Water Forum (APWF) Jointly organised the Summit under tye theme ‘Water for Sustainable Development -Best Practices and the Next Generation’.
PM to unveil foundation stone of Ghorashal Urea Fertilizer Project Thursday
The Prime Minister will unveil the foundation stone of Ghorashal Palash Urea Fertilizer Project in Narsingdi district on Thursday.
The unveiling ceremony will be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) and the PM will join it from her official residence Ganobhaban through a videoconference.
Besides, she will inaugurate the newly constructed 14-storey head office Bhaban of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) in the city’s Tejgaon industrial area from the same function.
She will also open three other development projects in three separate places, including Expansion of Madaripur BSCIC Industrial Estate.
Two other projects are ‘Establishment of Tools Institute’ under Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Center (BITAC), and Establishment of LED light Assembling Plant under the Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC).
READ: PM wonders why some parties want to oust her government despite massive development works
The Tk 10,461-crore Ghorashal Urea Fertilizer project got nods of the Executive Meeting of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) in October, 2018 to set up a new urea factory with an annual production capacity of 9.24 lakh metric tons.
Currently, two factories there -- Ghorshal Urea Fertiliser factory and Palash Urea Fertiliser Factory are annually producing 3.15 lakh metric tons.
Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) is implementing the project to set up a granular urea factory at Palash, adjacent to the existing two factories, with a daily production capacity of 2,800 metric tons.
Of the project cost, Tk 1,844.19 crore will come from the government fund while the rest Tk 8,616.72 crore from bidders.
BSCIC Bhaban:
The 14-storey eco-friendly skyscraper for BSCIC Head Office was constructed at the cost of Tk 84 crore in order to ensure a better work environment and bring dynamism in the operation of the corporation.
The 126,900-sq feet multi-storied building will house the BSCIC head office, regional office and project offices. Solar system and rainwater harvesting system are there in the modern tower, said a BSCIC press release.
Hasina on board with other leaders for Guterres-led crisis management group
Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres has invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to join the Champions’ Group of Global Crisis Response on Food, Energy and Finance (GCRG).
He made the invitation during a 12-minute phone conversation between the two leaders this evening, according to a press release signed by PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.
The Prime Minister thanked the UNSG for inviting her to join the GCRG, before accepting it warmly and expressing her deep satisfaction at seeing the presidents of Indonesia and Senegal, as well as her fellow prime ministers from Barbados and Denmark, on board the same platform.
Prime Minister Hasina expressed confidence to fulfil the vision of the group, as she looks forward to working closely with other leaders.
READ: Help all reach vaccination targets, Hasina urges COVAX summit
She briefed the UNSG the aftermath of ongoing war in Ukraine as well as the pandemic situation, which have led to a worsening situation in many sectors from food to fuel prices, and engulfing the financial system.
Prime Minister Hasina appreciated the leadership role of the UN in forming such a global crisis management group that focuses on food, energy and the financial system as well, to try and ensure the poor and the vulnerable across the world would remain safe.
She reiterated her commitment to responding to the call of the UN to contribute to global peace, stability and development.
She also reiterated Bangladesh’s partnership to the UN in the areas of Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding, SDG implementation, climate action and gender equality.
She expressed her readiness to engage in high level dialogue, advocacy and outreach to fulfil the objectives of the group.
At the end, UNSG Guterres requested Prime Minister Hasina to nominate a Sherpa (Representative) to represent Bangladesh in this group, as well as to carry out its endeavour under the mandate of the United Nation.
No one can play foul with Bangladesh:Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday firmly declared that no one now play foul with the people of Bangladesh.
“No one will be able to play with Bangladesh…No one can play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of Bangladesh,” she said.
The prime minister was addressing the opening ceremony of the four-day long “Joy Banglar Joyotsob” at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan.
She joined the programme virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
The Cabinet Committee on Golden Jubilee organised the event as part of the closing ceremony of the celebration of 50 Years of the country’s independence.
The PM said that Bangladesh is now advancing towards development and prosperity with an irresistible pace.
“Inshallah it will continue,” she said.
READ: Hasina greets Freedom Fighters on Independence Day
In this connection, she urged the new generation to maintain the pace of the development following the future plans of the government.
She said that the Awami League-led government has given plans for the future generations.
“We have implemented the Vision 2021, we have entered in the satellite era, we are building nuclear power plant, we are doing infrastructural development, we are creating employment opportunities, we are setting up hundred economic zones,” she said.
“We have to remain advanced in education, knowledge, technology, science and every sector,” she said.
Hasina said that her government has ensured the basic rights of the people including food, cloths, accommodation, education and health.
She said that as per the constitution that was given by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman just after nine months of the Independence, the present government is going ahed following his footsteps.
In this connection, she said that the government has formulated Perspective Plan 2041 for the future generations while implementing 8th five year plans after formulating it.
“Delta Plan 2100 has been formulated and we have started to implement some of its plans aiming to give a better life of the people of this delta,” she said.
With Chairman of Cabinet Committee on Golden Jubilee of Independence and Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque in the chair, Secretary of the Ministry Khaja Miah delivered welcome address.
Member Secretary of Cabinet Committee on Golden Jubilee of Independence and Senior Secretary of Commerce Ministry Tapan Kanti Ghosh also spoke.
At the outset of the ceremony, the theme song of 50-year celebration of independence was played, while an audio-visual was screened.
The prime minister also witnessed the colourful cultural programme.
Hasina pays homage to Bangabandhu
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday paid rich tributes to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of Bangladesh’s Independence and National Day.
Hasina paid homage to the Father of the Nation by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32 in Dhaka this morning.
After placing the wreath, she stood there in solemn silence for a while as a mark of deep respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of Bangladesh's Independence.
Read: Hamid, Hasina pay tributes to Liberation War martyrs
Hasina also visited the historic residence of Bangabandhu. She stayed for some time in the house, which now has been turned into Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.
Flanked by central leaders of her party, Hasina, also the president of Bangladesh Awami League, laid another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party.
It's a landmark success, Hasina says after full electrification of Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said that reaching electricity to every house in the country has been a landmark achievement of her government.
She also said that by this achievement the government has been able to materialise a dream of the Father of the Nation.
The PM was addressing the Ecnec (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) meeting held at the NEC at Sher-e Bangla Nagar in the capital through video conference from her official residence Ganobhaban.
She expressed firm optimism that another dream of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman would also be materialised soon by providing houses to all homeless people.
She extended thanks to all concerned who worked hard for reaching the target of full electrification of the country.
Also read: PM opens Payra power plant, declares full electricity coverage of Bangladesh
In this regard Hasina pointed out the steps of her government to make power sector open for the private initiative during its earlier 1996-2001 term.
She said that 450 MW Meghna Ghat and 360 MW Haripur Power plants were built with foreign investment under private initiative for the first time in the country.
“Later, the government of Awami League since 2009 implemented many power plant construction projects that made it possible to achieve cent per cent electricity coverage,” she added.
The prime minister said that in continuation of this achievement, her government has been working to build houses for all the homeless people.
Mentioning that the neglected southern region witnessed tremendous development over the past years, the prime minister said the biggest Payra power plant was launched yesterday in Patuakhali district.
“Besides, many big establishments like Payra Sea Port, Cantonment, naval base, and other infrastructures have been constructed which have changed the overall scenario in the region,” she said.
Referring to the Padma Bridge, she said that construction works of the mega project will be completed very soon ending sufferings of the people of southern region.
“Implementation of various projects will help protect the southern region from devastating cyclones, floods and other disasters," she said.
Also read: Stay united to take Bangladesh forward: PM urges after dedicating Payra plant as her Ramadan, Eid gift
In this context, the PM asked relevant authorities to create artificial mangrove forest in the coastal region alongside tree plantation and green afforestation.
Hasina reiterated that her democratically elected Awami League government has been able to make these achievements thanks to 13 years of continuous governance.
Hasina condoles ex-president Shahabuddin's demise
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the demise of former president and former chief justice Shahabuddin Ahmed.
She prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.
READ: Ex-president Shahabuddin Ahmed dies at 92
Three-day special screening of ‘Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’ begins at Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2022
Bangla Academy has organized a three-day special screening of Piplu Khan directed Bangladeshi independent historical docudrama ‘Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’ at the ongoing Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2022 on Tuesday.
Marking the closing days of the fair alongside the occasion of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s 102nd Birth Anniversary, the special screening began at 6 pm on Tuesday at the Bhasha Shahid Muktomoncho, Bangla Academy premises in the capital.
The special screening will again be held on Wednesday, March 16 at 6 pm and Thursday, March 17 at 7:30 pm at the same venue.
A docudrama on the life of Bangladeshi Prime Minister and the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, ‘Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’ was premiered at Star Cineplex, Bashundhara City Shopping Complex in the capital on November 15, 2018, and also was internationally released at Star Cineplex on the following day.
An extensive 5-year-long collaboration between the Centre for Research and Information (CRI) and Applebox Films, the docudrama stars Sheikh Hasina as herself in the title role alongside her younger sister Sheikh Rehana as herself, also both as narrators.
READ: 'Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’ to be aired on television on her birthday
Described as a riveting story of the daughter of Bangabandhu out of a tragic backdrop by the filmmaker, the film covers and refers to the assassination of the Prime Minister's father along with most of her family in 1975 and the aftermath of the situation.
Debojyoti Mishra, an internationally acclaimed Indian music composer and film director, has composed the musical score for the film which is produced by CRI trustees Radwan Mujib Siddiq, grandson of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, alongside Nasrul Hamid, state minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.
Good planning & democracy spur Bangladesh’s development, says Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said Bangladesh achieved the desired development as her government implemented all programmes in a planned manner and democratic environment.
The prime minister said this while exchanging views with editors of world’s famous Innovations (Technology, Governance and Globalization) journal noted US Economist Philip Auerswald and Iqbal Z Quadir at her official residence Ganobhaban.
The Innovations Journal is published by the MIT Press that is affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. Massachusetts and is one of the largest and most distinguished university presses in the world.
Bangabandhu’s grand son Radwan Mujib Siddiq, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmed Kaikaus, PMO Secretary Tofazzal Hossain Miah and Prime Minister’s Speech Writer M Nazrul Islam were present.
Also read: PM proposes formation of Int’l Seed Bank to avert food crisis
A press release of the PMO Press Wing said that the editors of the Innovations journal handed over Volume 13, issue 1-2, titled “Bangladesh at 50” to the prime minister marking the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence.
Hasina said Bangabandhu had wanted to see the people of Bangladesh to live in peace, prosperity and happiness.
She said her government has been working tirelessly to fulfill the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The current volume of Innovations Journal has carried an article written by the prime minister titled “Striving to Realize the Ideals of My Father.”
Besides, seven famous writers including Nobel Prize Winner economist Amartya Sen, Professor of Economics of Colonel University koshik Bose and Innvations Journal Editor Iqbal Z Quadir also wrote articles in this issue.
In her article, Hasina elaborated the history of Bangladesh’s independence, rebuilding of the war-ravaged country, her days during exile, homecoming and becoming the leader of the mass people.
The editors of the Innovation Journal requested her to join meetings on climate change and write for the journal about her long experience on climate issues.
She assured them of writing articles for them on climate change issue.
Also read: Continuous democratic process is behind country’s unprecedented development, says Hasina in UAE
Bangabandhu’s grand son Radwan Mujib Siddiq, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmed Kaikaus, PMO Secretary Tofazzal Hossain Miah and Prime Minister’s Speech Writer M Nazrul Islam were present.
Continuous democratic process is behind country’s unprecedented development, says Hasina in UAE
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that an uninterrupted democratic process for the past 13 years has been behind the unprecedented development of Bangladesh.
“You’ve noticed the change of Bangladesh in 13 years. And this development has been achieved only because the democratic process has continued in the country with the Awami League in power for these 13 years,” she said on Friday.
The prime minister was addressing a civic reception accorded in her honour here on the occasion of her official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
She joined the event virtually from her place of residence in Abu Dhabi, while Bangladeshi expatriates were connected from three venues --Bangladesh Consulate in Dubai, Abu Dhabi Theatre and Bangladesh English Private School and College in Ras Al Khaimah.
Hasina said there was no continuation of the democratic process in the country for several years after 1975. .
“There was a black chapter after 1975. That dark cloud is gone. We’re now taking Bangladesh forward following the ideology of Father of the Nation,” she said adding that Bangladesh is marching forward and none would be able to take it back anymore.
Noting that the country faced a problem during Covid-19 pandemic, she said now there is another new problem and that’s the situation created by the war between Ukraine and Russia.
“So, we are passing through another abnormal situation... Fuel prices are going up and various problems have appeared in the international arena. We’re also facing some problems. But I believe that we can overcome this in Bangladesh,” she said.
The PM asked the expatriates to tell their families and relatives back home not to leave any piece of land uncultivated to gain food autarky even in case of any global food crisis.
Spelling out her government’s development activities, Hasina said there is no scope for anyone to remain unemployed in the country unless he or she wishes so. “If anyone takes a little initiative, the person would not remain unemployed,” she added.
Read: Hasina says people will surely support motherly leadership like hers