President Abdul Hamid
Nation set to celebrate Independence Day Saturday
Bangladesh is all set to celebrate the 52nd Independence and National Day on Saturday amid programmes that feature paying homage to the Liberation War martyrs and vow to materialise their dreams.
On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed Bangladesh's independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees on the midnight of March 25 by Pakistani occupation forces.
After a nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of three million people and the honour of 200,000 women, Bangladesh finally achieved its victory on December 16, 1971.
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The day, which is a public holiday, will begin with 21-gun salute and placing of wreaths at the National Memorial at Savar in honour of the Liberation War martyrs.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths early in the morning showing profound respect to the memories of the martyrs.
National flag will be hoisted at all government, semi-government, private, autonomous buildings with the sunrise and all the significant buildings, establishments will be illuminated.
National dailies will bring out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Shishu Academy, National Museum, Liberation War Museum and other social, cultural organizations will arrange seminars, cultural programmes, painting and sports competitions for children as well as screening films, documentaries on the liberation war.
Freedom fighters and martyr’s families will be honoured on metropolitan, district and upazila level. Bangladesh Post Office Department will unveil a special commemorative stamp to mark the day.
Meanwhile different religious organizations will hold special prayers and doa mehfil praying for the country's peace, development and prosperity.
On the eve of the day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages extending heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to the countrymen at home and abroad.
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In his message, President Abdul Hamid said, “In order to achieve the desired goal of Independence, we must ensure people-oriented and sustainable development, good governance, social justice, transparency and accountability. Forbearance, human rights and rule of law have to be consolidated for institutionalizing democracy.”
“It is our sacred duty to ensure a safe, happy, beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh for the new generation,” he added.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina in her message said, “We are fortunate to have simultaneously celebrated the 2020-2021 birth centenary of the Father of the Nation, Mujib Barsha, and the Golden Jubilee of independence through colorful programs.”
She also urged all to be united and nurture the spirit and ideals of the Great Liberation War and participate in building the hunger-poverty-free, self-confident and self-respecting 'Golden Bangladesh' of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s dream.
Romanian ambassador presents credentials to President Hamid amid hope of growing Dhaka-Bucharest ties
Ambassador Daniela Sezonov Tane on Wednesday presented her credentials to President Abdul Hamid as the non-resident envoy of Romania to Bangladesh.
Based in New Delhi she also serves concurrently as her country’s ambassador to Indian and Nepal.
Ambassador Daniela was given a guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of Presidential Guard Regiment on her arrival at Bangabhaban, President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin said.
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Welcoming the new ambassador President Hamid hoped that Bangladesh’s good relations with Romania will grow further under her tenure.
Earlier on Tuesday evening Enayetullah Khan, Honorary Consul of Romania in Bangladesh, hosted a reception at his Baridhara residence in honor of Ambassador Daniela.
"I am happy to be in Bangladesh. I am very proud to be in Bangladesh," she said, adding that Bangladesh and Romania are trying to do some important events together to mark the 50 years of their diplomatic relations.
She said Romanians are trying to help as much as they can amid the crisis in Ukraine and recalled how they helped Indian students and some Bangladeshi people who got stranded in Ukraine.
“Now we need to be together to stand for some basic general values. I hope the situation will improve,” said the Romanian ambassador, adding that it is a war which has to be condemned by everybody. “We can’t have double standards.”
After falling in love with India, through the ancient wisdom of the Vedas and the Upanishads, Ambassador Daniela decided to study Hindi language and literature at the University of Bucharest.
She was part of the first batch of students studying Hindi in post-communist Romania. In 1992 Daniela received a scholarship from the Indian government, for the study of Hindi language and culture, at Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra and this is how she discovered India at 22.
Enayetullah Khan said Romania was one of the first countries in the world to recognize Bangladesh as a sovereign country and expressed his happiness to see Ambassador Daniela in Dhaka who she met first almost 20 years ago.
He said Covid has taught them to think differently during the last two years and subsequent sufferings due to the pandemic made them stronger.
Khan hoped that the situation in Ukraine would turn better and would be peaceful. “I hope there will be peace in the world. There will be more prosperity.”
He said though there are new challenges they would be able to face those challenges unitedly for a better world.
“This is a new Bangladesh. It’s a rising Bangladesh,” Khan said, adding that they are working hard to promote Bangladesh coming out from “image deficit”.
Khan hoped for peace and prosperity in the world and noted that in every crisis there is an opportunity. “I hope Bangladesh-Romania relations will grow bigger, stronger and deeper.”
Secretary (West) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shabbir Ahmad Chowdhury gratefully recalled the support of the Romanian Foreign Ministry and Bangladesh Mission in Bucharest in helping stranded Bangladeshis leave Ukraine through Moldova and Romania.
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“I am very much impressed by the way she looks into Bangladesh and she (Romanian Ambassador) has expressed her willingness to elevate the relationship between the two countries to a different height,” he said.
The secretary said much progress has been made and Romania is looking forward to having a lot of manpower from Bangladesh and the new ambassador has committed to facilitate it. “Our relationship will grow strength to strength in the future.”
Current and former diplomats including former Ambassador Farooq Sobhan and Honorary Advisor Emeritus, Cosmos Foundation Ambassador (Retd) Tariq A Karim were present.
ACC annual reports handed to president
Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Moinuddin Abdullah on Monday presented the commission's annual report 2020 and 2021 to President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban in the evening.
President's press secretary Joynal Abedin briefed the reporters after the meeting.
During the meeting, the ACC chairman briefed the President on various aspects of the report and the overall activities of the commission.
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Mentioning the corruption as the major obstacles to the development and progress, the President emphasized on prevention rather than remedy in curbing corruption.
He said effective measures should be taken to ensure that no one gets through corruption.
President Hamid suggested increasing the use of information technology to accelerate anti-corruption efforts.
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The President also directed to ensure transparency and accountability of the officials concerned in the investigation and search process.
ACC Commissioner Dr. Mozammel Haque Khan and Zahurul Haque and Secretary Mohammad Mahbub Hossain were present on the occasion.
Secretary to the President's Office Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Joynal Abedin and Election Commission Secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker were also present on the occasion.
Teach according to needs of labour market: President
President Abdul Hamid on Sunday asked the authorities concerned to plan academic curriculum in line with the labour market.
"We need to plan academic curriculum in line with the labour market. It is often seen that students cannot study as per their interests and preferences," he said at a discussion organised on the ocassion of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibir Rahman.
The Association of Private Universities of Bangladesh ( APUB) organised the programme at a hotel in the city.
He said that Bangladesh has already evolved from a least developed to a developing country and the government has set a target to become a developed country by 2041.
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"In order to achieve this goal, we have to make our young generation educated and skilled," he said .
"Skilled manpower needs to be created in education, health, agriculture, economy, trade and commerce, engineering, and information technology," he said.
He called for ensuring that the university education does not become certificate-based in any way.
The president suggested private universities keep some seat tuition fee-free for poor and meritorious students.
Urging university teachers to come forward in research work, he said that researchers need to have enough interest and enthusiasm to know what is being done in other countries about their teaching.
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Education Minister Dipu Moni, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel spoke in the programme while APUB's chairman Kabir Hossain presided over it.
President pays homage to Bangabandhu
President Abdul Hamid on Thursday hosted a milad and doa-mahfil at Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban after Magrib prayers on the occasion of the birth anniversary Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Special munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for peace and prosperity of the country, welfare of the people and greater unity of the Muslim Ummah across the world.
Moazzin of Bangabhaban Jam-e-Masjid Hafez Muhammad Inamul Haq conducted the munajat after the milad mahfil.
Doa was also offered praying for the eternal peace of the martyrs, who sacrificed their lives in 1971 Liberation War.
President calls for more US investment in Bangladesh
President Abdul Hamid on Tuesday urged newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D Haas to encourage his country’s entrepreneurs to investment in various sectors in Bangladesh.
He made the request when Peter D Haas presented his credentials to the President in the afternoon.
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Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting.
Welcoming the new ambassador, President Hamid said that Bangladesh's relation with the United States is very good and the diplomatic relations as well as trade and investment have expanded in various fields.
The President hoped that the United States would continue to put pressure on Myanmar to send back Rohingya to their homeland with dignity.
The President thanked the Government and the people of the United States for providing assistance to Bangladesh, including vaccine, in the fight against Covid -19.
During the meeting, the new US Ambassador sought the full cooperation of the President in discharging his duties.
Later, newly appointed High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Maldives Rear Admiral SM Abul Kalam Azad called on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban.
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During the meeting, the new High Commissioner sought the guidance and cooperation of the President in discharging his duties.
Secretary to the President's Office Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Joynal Abedin were present on the occasion.
President summons 17th JS session on March 28
President Abdul Hamid has summoned the 17th session of the 11th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) on March 28.
The President, also the head of the state, convened the session exercising the power bestowed upon him as per the Clause (1) of Article 72 of the Constitution.
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The JS session will begin at 5 pm at the parliament room, said a press release signed by Md Tariq Mahmud, Director (public relations) of the Parliament Secretariat on Thursday.
The 16th session of 11th parliament was prorogued on January 27 after five sittings as the first session of the year began on January 16.
President Hamid receives 10 names for EC proposed by search committee
President Abdul Hamid on Thursday received the names of 10 individuals recommended by the search committee to be appointed in the next five-member Election Commission at Bangabhaban.
The president will now review the names to pick five from among them for appointment as chief election commissioner and four other commissioners, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said.
Two names have been proposed for each post.
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He said the chosen names will soon be published through gazette notification.
Singapore upbeat about Bangladesh’s economic potential
President of Singapore Halimah Yacob has said Singapore remains one of the top investors in Bangladesh, and continues to be upbeat about Bangladesh’s economic potential.
"Singapore also appreciates the important contributions of the Bangladeshi community in Singapore, including towards our country’s development," she said in a message to her Bangladesh counterpart Abdul Hamid.
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Bangladesh and Singapore commemorated the Golden Jubilee of diplomatic relations that was established on February 16, 1972.
Singapore was among the first few countries that accorded recognition to an Independent Bangladesh early into her independence.
The Presidents of the two friendly countries exchanged messages of felicitations and greetings on the auspicious occasion of 50 years of bilateral relations.
In their messages, President Abdul Hamid and President Halimah Yacob expressed deep satisfaction at the strong bilateral relationship that exists between the two friendly nations.
Both the leaders committed to further strengthening and consolidating the bilateral relations in the next 50 years and beyond.
"On behalf of the people of the Republic of Singapore, I extend best wishes to you and the people of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on the joyous occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries," said the President of Singapore.
Singapore was the first Southeast Asian country to establish diplomatic relations with Bangladesh in 1972. Since then, the bilateral ties have continued to grow and prosper in a meaningful and mutually beneficial manner, said President Yacob.
Despite the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, she said, Singapore and Bangladesh have continued to keep up with exchanges and strengthened cooperation.
"I’m confident that we’ll be able to take the bilateral ties between our two countries to greater heights in the years ahead," said the President of Singapore.
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In his message to President Halimah Yacob, President Hamid said, "I’m pleased to note that Singapore remained a steadfast friend and partner in our march towards development and progress."
He said their time-tested friendship is underpinned by common interests and close cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas including people-to-people ties, trade, investment, business, health and tourism.
"I firmly believe that the last fifty years provided a solid foundation for our partnership in the next 50 years and beyond," said President Hamid.
He wished continued good health, peace, prosperity and happiness for his Singapore counterpart and for the friendly people of Singapore.
Outgoing CEC, election commissioners call on President Hamid
Outgoing Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda paid a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban on Sunday.
He was accompanied by his colleagues- Mahbub Talukdar, Rafiqul Islam and Kabita Khanam.
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The five-year tenure of Huda-led commission expires on Monday.
During the meeting, the team briefed the president about their activities in the past five years, Joynal Abedin, president's press secretary told UNB.
They thanked the President for his co-operation and guidance in carrying out their duties.
Huda handed over to the president the Bangla version of the Representation of the People Order 1972 and the Delimitation of constituencies for the Jatiya Sangsad Act 2021.
The president was given a smart national identity card with Heroic Freedom Fighters inscribed on it.
President Hamid said that election is an important part of a democratic process. The Election Commission plays a key role in conducting elections. The cooperation of political parties and the people is essential for a fair and credible election.
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He hoped that in the upcoming EC will conduct all local government elections in more free and acceptable manner with cooperation of all political parties.
Secretary to the President's Office Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary to the President Joynal Abedin, and Secretary to the Election Commission Humayun Kabir Khandaker were present on the occasion.