Bangladesh's dignified position thru self-reliance is govt's mission, says PM Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the government has taken the responsibility for running the state to take Bangladesh to a more dignified position by making it self-reliant in every aspect, particularly socioeconomically, BSS reports.

“We have shouldered the responsibility of running the state to take Bangladesh to a more dignified position by achieving self-reliance socioeconomically,” she said while virtually speaking as the chief guest at the “Swadhinata Purashkar-2020” (Independence Award-2020) handover ceremony from her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka city on Thursday.

The Cabinet Division organised the function from Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the morning.

The prime minister added: “We are a victorious nation as we had achieved independence through the Liberation War defeating the Pakistani occupation forces and their local collaborators. As a victorious nation we will move around the world keeping our heads high with due dignity. We will not seek any help from others like beggars: we have to stand on our own feet.”

To achieve dignity, Sheikh Hasina said her government has been untiringly working to reach healthcare service and power to every house, ensure education for all, develop the communication system, provide a house to every homeless and landless person and make the countrymen self-reliant economically.

The premier said Bangladesh had lost the possibility of achieving the dignity with the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15 in 1975.

But, assuming office after 21 years, the Awami League has once again started its journey towards making Bangladesh a “Sonar Bangla” envisioned by Father of the Nation, she said.

Sheikh Hasina congratulated the recipients of the Independence Award-2020, saying the government has given the award this year to those personalities, who have immense contribution to independence as well as the country’s socio- economic advancement.

Eight distinguished persons, including two posthumously, and an educational institute had been named for the “Swadhinata Purashkar-2020” (Independence Award-2020).

On behalf of the prime minister, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque handed over the award to recipients in recognition of their glorious and outstanding contribution to their respective fields.

Prof Dr AKMA Muktadir, on behalf of the awardees, spoke at the ceremony on receipt of the highest civilian award.

Each award recipient was awarded with a gold medal weighing 50 grams of 18-karat gold, a certificate and Tk 500,000.

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam moderated the function and read out the citations with brief life sketches of the recipients.