PM terms BD’s LDC graduation a slap on ‘bottomless basket’ storytellers

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said Bangladesh's graduation to the developing country group is a slap on the faces of those who had thought it would be a 'bottomless basket' after the independence.

"During the Liberation War, a vested quarter used to say what Bangladesh would gain after its independence....it would be a bottomless basket. I think this (Bangladesh's graduation) is a slap on their faces...the Bangalees have showed that they can," she said.

The prime minister made the comment while opening the month-long solo art exhibition of world-renowned artist Shahabuddin Ahmed at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) on Monday.

Ganges Art Gallery, Kolkata in association with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy has arranged the exhibition featuring artworks derived from a 20-year span of the iconic artist of Bangladesh.

United News of Bangladesh (UNB) is the media partner of the exhibition.

Chaired by Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Ibraheem Hosein Khan, the function was addressed, among others, by independence award-winning artist Shahabuddin Ahmed, BSA Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky and Director of the Ganges Art Gallery Smita Bajoria.

The Committee for Development Policy (CDP), a United Nations panel, recently made an announcement on the country's eligibility at a meeting at the UN headquarters in New York.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh got the UN recognition as a developing country. "We've learned how to stand on our own feet economically ...we're not dependent on anybody. We've proved we can develop the country by ourselves," she said.

At the function, the prime minister unveiled the cover of a book 'Amar Muktijuddha' by Shahabuddin Ahmed.

Parts of a documentary on Shahabuddin Ahmed titled 'Colour of Freedom' were features at the programme.

The prime minister also witnessed an acrobatic exhibition of the children of Shilpakala Academy.

She later visited the gallery and saw the displayed artworks of Shahabuddin, reports UNB.