Hasina
Get vaccinated, PM renews her call to all
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday reiterated her call to all to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as the government is going to take the vaccination drive to the grassroots level.
“We’ve already decided to continue the vaccination programme through every community clinic and health centre so that rural people can take jabs soon. No one should remain unvaccinated. All must avail of it,” she said, adding that many people still show reluctance to receive the vaccine.
The Prime Minister said this while addressing a function at the city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, joining it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
READ: Vaccination progamme for Ctg prisoners kicks off, 800 get vaccinated on day 1
At the function, she published the results of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and its equivalent examinations-2021 and inaugurated the distribution of free textbooks among students up to the secondary level for the academic year of 2022.
Hasina said since the Covid-19 jabs will be given through community clinics or other health centres, all of those who have not yet received the vaccine will have to take it.
Noting that the government has already vaccinated the teachers of educational institutes, she said now the jabs are being given to students.
The PM directed the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education to be sincere so that all the students receive vaccines.
Pointing at the guardians of students, Hasina said not only the parents but also their children will have to take vaccines.
Sheikh Hasina directed the Education Ministry to continue their online education programmes as the Corona infection rate goes up and down.
Mentioning that it was noticed that the outbreak of this pandemic witnessed a surge immediately after the winter season, she said the Education Ministry will have to take preparations from right now to continue the online education programmes in the case of possible surge in Covid-19 infections.
“Since it would not be possible to keep schools open in case of a fresh outbreak of Covid-19, you’ll have to take measures to ensure the access of online teaching to every house,” she said.
READ: Over 1.6 lakh EPZ workers vaccinated: BEPZA
She also urged guardians to assist students over online education.
Focusing on the Awami League government’s development measures for the education sector, the PM said her government gives importance to two issues --nutrition and mental health awareness—of the students.
Hasina said the government started a school feeding programme. But parents or guardians also have to pay attention to the nutrition of their kids, she added.
She said one lakh teachers and officials have been given training on nutrition issues while two lakh teachers on mental health issues.
Noting that many of this country are not aware about their children’s mental health, the PM said sometimes many kids cannot concentrate on their education and classroom teaching, which is one type of disability and a different type of syndrome.
One day Bangladesh to manufacture its own aircraft, hopes Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday hoped that Bangladesh will one day be able to produce aircraft and helicopters as the government wants to launch training and research for engineers in this regard.
“InshaAllah, one day we’ll be able to produce aircraft, helicopters and warplanes in our country through research. I do believe it. We want to impart training and conduct research accordingly from now,” she said while addressing the President Parade (Winter)-2021 of Bangladesh Air Force.
The Prime Minister virtually joined the parade held at Bangladesh Air Force Academy in Jashore from her official residence Ganobhaban.
READ: Govt never interfered with judicial process: Hasina
The present government established Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University in Lalmonirhat with an aim to modernise aerospace research, development of the Air Force and the civil aviation sector, she said.
“We put the utmost importance to aerospace research,” the Prime Minister insisted.
She highlighted Awami League government’s measures to modernise the Bangladesh Air Force particularly in the last 13 years after assuming power in 2009.
Hasina said the Air Defence Notification Centre has recently been launched with the name of ‘Air Defence Identification Area’ over the airspace of Bangladesh, which is playing a vital role in the air defence and security management of the country.
In the context of building 'Digital Bangladesh,' a certified tier-III data centre was procured for the Bangladesh Air Force and its installation work is underway now, she said.
“With this data centre, it’ll be possible to perform various activities of the Air Force digitally instead of the traditional method,” said the Prime Minister.
Most recently, a very-small-aperture terminal (VSAT) hub and terminal station have been procured for the Air Force. With the help of Bangabandhu Satellite-1, it will be possible to establish satellite-based communication between Air Force bases and units through the VSAT hub and terminal station, she said.
Bangladesh-Maldives ties must grow further: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the Maldives must grow further to enhance trade, investment, connectivity, and people-to-people contacts.“Our bilateral relations must grow,” Hasina said while speaking at the State Banquet hosted by the President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in honour of her.She said Bangladesh and the Maldives share religious values, cultural affinity and stand on the same plane of developmental aspiration.
“With these commonalities in place, we look forward to striding ahead together in the days to come,” she said adding, “We could set an example by our collaboration during the pandemic.
As we believe in shared prosperity and socio-economic development, I feel happy to see thousands of Bangladeshis working together with their Maldivian brothers and sisters in the Maldives and contributing to both country’s economies.”
Read: Be partners in Bangladesh’s development story, Hasina to Maldivian entrepreneurs
Expressing her gratitude, she said Bangladesh had the honour to welcome the Maldivian President in March this year to celebrate the Birth Centenary of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.“Your gracious presence at our celebrations added further glory. Excellency! Thank you for allowing us to share our pride and joy!” she said.The Prime Minister appreciated the commendable initiatives of the Maldivian President to radically reshape the economic landscape of the Maldives through the particular emphasis on inter-island connectivity, green tourism, climate-smart infrastructure, and transition to renewable energy.“I salute the people of Maldives for their determination in the face of acute climate adversity and for their resilience in keeping the tourism industry rolling, even amid shockwaves of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hasina said.On the other hand, she said, our endeavours are also focused on implementing the development discourse and transforming Bangladesh into a developed country by 2041.
Read: Dhaka, Male seek cooperation in fisheries, agriculture“Our Government's Vision-2041 is an image of Bangladesh that meets the hopes and aspirations of the country's people for an economically, developed, and inclusive society envisioned by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib’s dream Golden Bangladesh.”She mentioned that the government is committed to implementing SDGs in the stipulated time frame.“We also have started implementing 'Bangladesh Delta Plan-2100.' With our all-out efforts, Bangladesh has already been branded as 'the Development Miracle' by the world,” Hasina added.
Be partners in Bangladesh’s development story, Hasina to Maldivian entrepreneurs
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday called upon both the public and private sectors of the Maldives to be partners in Bangladesh’s development journey in the next 50 for mutual benefits.“I call upon both the government and private sectors of the Maldives to be our partners in the development journey in the next fifty years for mutual benefits,” she said.Sheikh Hasina made the call while speaking at the People’s Majlis, Maldives (the Maldivian Parliament) with its Speaker Mohamed Nasheed in the chair.She hoped that the warm and friendly relations between the two countries will further be consolidated as Bangladesh is thriving on possibilities and potentials. “We believe no country in the world can prosper in isolation.”
Also read: Dhaka, Male seek cooperation in fisheries, agricultureHasina mentioned that the Covid-19 pandemic taught that all are interdependent and have to share their experiences for the sake of a better, secure, and prosperous world.
“We reiterate our principled position of collaboration with our fraternal neighbours in South Asia, as had been enunciated by our Father of the Nation,” she said adding, “We’re particularly encouraged to witness your development journey, your successful transition from LDC to a middle-Income country, and we hope Bangladesh and the Maldives would tap the complementarities.”The Prime Minister described 2021 as a landmark year for Bangladesh-Maldives bilateral relations with the exchange of high-level visits, fruitful bilateral discussions among relevant authorities, and goodwill exchange of collaboration on many areas of bilateral interests.“We firmly believe we would further consolidate our bilateral relations through further expansion of trade, investment, connectivity, tourism, and people-to-people contacts,” she hoped.Hasina said the next 50 years’ journey will be even more fruitful with meaningful changes to the lives of the people of the two countries.Briefly describing the history of Bangladesh, its Independence, role, struggle and sacrifice of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she Bangabandhu laid down the foundation of the path to socio-economic freedom for Bangladesh after the independence.Following his footsteps and inspired by this economic and political philosophy, she said, “I am happy to share that Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress in the last one decade.”
Also read: Hasina for tapping Bangladesh-Maldives’ full trade potentialsThe average GDP growth registered in the previous few years has been more than 7 percent, while in 2019-20, just before the pandemic, our DGP growth rate was 8.2 percent, the Prime Minister said.“During the last decade, Bangladesh has also made remarkable progress in socio-economic indicators, including women empowerment, maternal and child health, life expectancy, population growth rate, sanitation, drinking water, primary education, and literacy,” Hasina said.
In continuation of Bangladesh’s development journey, she said, “We’ve to transform Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021, meet all the SDG targets by 2031, turn into a knowledge-based developed country by 2041, and a prosperous and resilient Delta by 2100.”The Prime Minister went on saying, “As you may be aware that on November 24, 2021, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution on Graduation of Bangladesh from the LDC category.”She mentioned that Bangladesh is now a US-$411 billion economy and is ranked among the 34 largest economies of the world.“However, development brings its own challenges. To cope with the situation that we’ll face after the withdrawal of the benefits we used to enjoy [benefits] as an LDC, our focus will be on diversifying the economy and exploring new markets. We’re also striving to transform into a technology-driven society and innovation-led growth with a vision of Digital Bangladesh.”
The Maldivian Speaker presented Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a boat painting.
Bangladesh enjoys stability in development under Hasina: Bhutanese King
King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck has said Bangladesh successfully dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic and continued to maintain stability and development under the wise leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Under your wise and dedicated leadership, Bangladesh has dealt with the Covid pandemic successfully and continued to enjoy stability and development,” he said in a recent letter sent to Sheikh Hasina.
The letter was sent on the occasion of the celebrations of Mujib Borsho and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence, said PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim on Monday.
READ: Bhutanese King sees BD’s prosperity under Hasina’s leadership
“On the auspicious and happy celebrations of Mujib Borsho and the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Independence of Bangladesh, I would like to convey my heartfelt felicitations and Tashi Delek to Your Excellency and to the people of Bangladesh,” said the Fourth King of Bhutan in the letter.
He said the government and the people of Bhutan are sincerely grateful for the personal contributions that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina’s government have made in establishing the existing close and special relations of goodwill and friendship between Bhutan and Bangladesh.
Hasina, Rehana pay homage to Aug 15 martyrs
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana on Friday paid tributes to the martyred family members of the Father of the Nation on the occasion of Golden Jubilee of the country’s Victory Day and Mujib Borsho.
Read: PM pays tributes to Liberation War martyrs
They placed wreaths at their graveyards at Banani in the morning, according to a media release of the PMO press wing.
They offered fateha and munajat seeking the eternal peace of their family members brutally killed on August 15, 1975.
Soldiers ready to build prosperous Bangladesh: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said soldiers have been prepared for making Bangladesh a developed country by 2041 as the young generation is availing of the opportunities to flourish their talents in this Digital Bangladesh.
“Now, I don’t have to worry any more. Of course, Bangladesh would be a developed Bangladesh in 1941. The biggest thing is that our soldiers for building Bangladesh as a developed country are ready,” she said.
The Prime Minister was addressing the celebration of Digital Bangladesh Day-2021 and Digital Bangladesh Award Distribution Ceremony at the city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, joining it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
A total of 24 individuals, teams and organisations -- 12 from the national level and 12 from the district level-- received the Digital Bangladesh Award-2021 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the digital sector.
On behalf of the Prime Minister, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak handed over the awards to the recipients.
Also read: Assess situation before reopening educational institutions: PM
Pointing at the award recipients, Hasina said she is no longer worried about the fulfilment of her Vision 2041 of turning Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country since many youths received the awards and now got the scope to flourish their talents.
“I can say from today I don’t have to worry anymore …we’ve already advanced far in the way to build a technology and knowledge-based society. Inshallah, Bangladesh will move forward,” she said.
The Prime Minister congratulated the youths and other award recipients.
The Digital Bangladesh is being observed with the theme of 'Digital Bangladesh-er Arjan, Upokrito Sokol Jonogon' (The Achievement of Digital Bangladesh: Beneficiaries are All People).
Digital device export
The Prime Minister said if digital devices can be produced and exported properly, it may exceed all other sectors, including RMG, in earning foreign currency.
Also read: PM puts emphasis on properly learning mother tongue
Noting that now the garment export is the biggest source of foreign currency, she said her government has a target to promote production and export of digital devices and create scope for the meritorious students to flourish their talents in this sector.
“I think if we can produce and export these digital devices, it’ll surpass all sectors,” she said, adding that the government has a target to increase the export earnings to US$ 5 billion in the digital device sector by 2025.
Talking about the Awami League’s electoral pledge to build Digital Bangladesh, Hasina said they had a goal to create jobs so that the youth, staying home, can flourish their talents, become solvent and develop them as well as simultaneously take Bangladesh forward.
“Soldiers are being created to take the country forward,” she said, extending her sincere thanks to her ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and all other concerned in this regard.
Hasina said the services that her government wanted to provide the people with the help of technology are rendered in Bangladesh. “It has been possible to reach this service from our city corporation to the very grassroots level of a village,” she said.
The PM said her government reduced the price of internet bandwidth to less than Tk 400, which was Tk 78,000 during the BNP government. “We’re going to introduce 5G,” she said.
Mentioning that some 18.13 crore mobile SIM are used in Bangladesh alongside 13 crore internet users, Hasina said internet services are available in almost every house.
Besides, the prizes were conferred among the winners of the online quiz and other competitions arranged on the occasion of the Digital Bangladesh-2021.
At the function, the Prime Minister also unveiled the cover of a book titled ‘Prodhanmontri Sheikh Hasinar Netritte Digital Bangladesh-er Swapna Purun’ (Fulfillment of Dream of Digital Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina), which is featured with achievements and successes in the country’s digital sector.
Hasina also virtually inaugurated some projects, including Freedom Fighter Lieutenant Sheikh Jamal Software Technology Park, Chattogram; Bangabandhu Smriti Ongan and IT Business Centre; Bangabandhu Hi-Tech Park, Sylhet; Sheikh Kamal IT Incubation and Training Centre, KUET, Khulna; and High Speed Internet Broadband Connectivity in 2,600 Union Parishads under the Info Sarkar Scheme (Phase-III).
PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus spoke at the function, while ICT Senior Secretary NM Zeaul Alam delivered the welcome speech.
All divisions to get BKSP-like institutes: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the government will set up a sports institute like BKSP in every division of the country as sports and physical exercise are very essential for having a healthy young generation.
“If we can keep our children involved in sports and cultural practices regularly, they’re unlikely to go astray, never get addicted to drugs and engage in militancy. They won’t quit studies either,” she said.
The Prime Minister was addressing the prize distribution ceremony of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman National Gold Cup Football Tournament, Boys (Under-17) and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunessa Mujib National Gold Cup Football Tournament, Girls (under-17)-2021, joining it virtually from Ganobhaban.
Also read: PM Hasina for forging strong worker-owner relations to boost productivity
On behalf of the Prime Minister, State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel distributed trophies, medals and prize money at Birshrestha Shaheed Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the city’s Kamalapur area.
Sylhet Division clinched the title of Bangabandhu Gold Cup Boys U-17, while Rangpur Division won the title of Bangamata Gold Cup Girls U-17.
Hasina said the government has already decided to set up a sports institute in every division. “There’ll be a BKSP-like institute in every division. We’ve already approved two more sports institutes and will also approve such institutes for other divisions… Sports and physical exercise is essential,” she said.
The Prime Minister stressed the need for the engagement of the young generation in sports alongside education for having a sound mind and body.
Also read: JS body for immediate opening of unused stadiums
Earlier, the Prime Minister virtually witnessed the girls’ final match between Rangpur Division and Mymensingh.
In the final matches, Sylhet Division beat Rajshahi Division in a penalty shootout, while Rangpur Division beat Mymensigh Division by 1-0.
Youth and Sports (senior) Secretary Akhter Hossain and President of Bangladesh Football Federation Kazi Salahuddin, among others, were present.
This year, a total of 110,557 young athletes participated in the countrywide mega tournament.
As part of the tournament, some 4828 teams –4,571 Union ones and 257 municipality ones – joined the Upazila-level competition and then 581 teams –492 Upazila ones, 29 city ones and 60 municipality teams – participated in the district-level competition. Subsequently, 68 teams – 64 district teams and 4 city teams- took part in the divisional-level competition and finally eight divisional-level teams participated in the national-level competition.
Return to classrooms, don’t damage vehicles: Hasina to students
Asking the students staging demonstrations on the streets to return to their educational institutions, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said it is not their duty to damage vehicles.
“Please don’t do this, please get back to your respective educational institutions, engage in your studies, those who are responsible (in recent deaths on the roads) must face punishment, they have been found out,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said this while inaugurating a mural of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the premises of Bangladesh Shishu Academy and the laying foundation of Joyeeta Foundation tower in Dhanmondi area.
The programme was arranged at Osmani Memorial Auditorium while the Prime Minister joined it virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban.
Read: Avoid unnecessary travel, Dhaka urges expats in Africa
“A new wave of Coronavirus is coming. If it (new wave) hits (the country), the educational institutions will be closed. So, go back to your educational institutions and concentrate on your studies,” she said.
Hasina said those who are responsible for ransacking and torching vehicles will also be identified and punished. “If anyone dies in such a vehicle (ransacked and torched), if anyone is burnt, tough punishment will be meted out. We need to keep this in mind,” she warned.
About the recent road accidents, the Prime Minister said law enforcement agencies are very much aware and alert and the culprits have been captured already taking help from the video footage and modern technologies.
The Prime Minister urged all to remain cautious and careful on the roads and strictly follow traffic rules. “There’re specific places to cross roads. If people try to cross roads indiscriminately then accidents will happen. A moving vehicle cannot stop abruptly. It has to happen slowly,” she said.
She came down heavily on those who always block roads, damage vehicles and put vehicles on fire after any accident instead of helping the victim to get quick treatment.
“There’re passengers, children and students in those vehicles that are set on fire, if anyone is hurt, burnt and dies, who will take the responsibility?” she questioned, adding, “The attackers have to take the responsibility, naturally.”
Bangladesh-India relations scale newer heights: Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the relations between Bangladesh and India have reached a new level. The Prime Minister said this when Indian High Commissioner Vikram Kumar Doraiswami met her at her official residence Ganobhaban. PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
Also read: Grab investment opportunities in Bangladesh, PM Hasina to global investors Karim said both the Prime Minister and the envoy discussed issues relating to the enhancement of trade and commerce between the two neighbouring countries. In this connection, Hasina put emphasis on the resumption of Akhaura-Agartala rail line to boost connectivity and trade as everything is there for the rail communication. Doraiswami informed the Prime Minister that the Indian President will visit Bangladesh to join the Victory Day celebrations coinciding the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence. “This is a special year, a year when the Indian President and the Prime Minister are visiting Bangladesh. For India, Bangladesh is a very dear country,” he said. The Indian envoy mentioned that they will showcase the Bangladesh-India relations to demonstrate a good framework of ties. The officials of the two countries are working on finalising the Indian President’s tour. Hasina said there is significant progress in trade, business and tourism between the two countries and now they have to remain cautious to tackle the Covid-19.
Also read: Sheikh Mujib a champion of human rights, freedom: Modi Doraiswami thanked Hasina for helping his country by providing medical equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic. He handed over a very rare photograph of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman where he was seen taking one security man to his home for having lunch with him in 1972. He also handed over a pen drive containing some audios and videos alongside some newspaper clippings. The Prime Minister recalled that they had passed horrible days in December 1971 under the captivity of the Pakistani occupation forces but when India recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent country it was a great message for them. Ambassador at Large Md Ziauddin and Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus were also present.