"The cardinal motto of politics should be - party takes precedence over person and country over party. Unfortunately, it seems that politics has taken a backward course," he said.

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He made the remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of a 10-day special programme marking the 50 years of independence and the birth centenary of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that began at Parade Ground.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the opening ceremony.

He called upon the politicians to learn from the life and deeds of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and devote themselves to serving the country and people.

“Politics and profession is not the same thing. With a profession, one earns the livelihood for him/her and family and politics is a greater field to work for the welfare of the country and its people. If one considers politics as a profession then he or she will have to reel in the family cycle forgetting the country and the people,” he said.    

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Family happiness or comfy life nothing could distract Bangabandhu from his goal, Hamid said adding that if Bangabandhu had wanted he could have become the Prime Minister of undivided Pakistan and spent his days happily with his family.

“He could have immersed himself in wealth. But he very easily rejected all this and took the interest of the country and people as his vow of life,” he added.

The President said Bangabandhu always dreamt of building a happy and prosperous country along with political independence.

The present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is making relentless efforts to realise his dream, he added.

Praising the current development in the country, Hamid said, “Today, Bangladesh is moving forward at an irresistible pace on the highway of development. Bangladesh has already achieved the final recommendation of the United Nations to move from a least developed country to a developing one. The Padma Bridge under construction with our own funds is now fully visible. Mega projects like Metro Rail, Karnaphuli Tunnel, Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant are being implemented.”

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“If this pace of development continues, Bangladesh will emerge in the world as a developed and prosperous country by 2041,” he added.

Stressing the preservation of the invaluable memories and mementoes of the Father of the Nation through the implementation of the action plan adopted on the occasion of the centenary, he said future generations can know the glory of the Bengali nation as well as the courage and patriotism of their predecessors and enlighten themselves.

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih attended the inaugural function as guest of honour while Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered welcome speeches virtually.

Welcoming the President of the Maldives, Hamid said the Maldives and Bangladesh share excellent ties of friendship and understanding, which have grown significantly during the recent years.

Hamid also expressed heartfelt thanks to the President of the Maldives for his valuable speech which reflects the close and friendly relationship between the two countries.

President Hamid welcomed President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the National Parade Ground function at Tejgaon on his arrival. Earlier, he received his Maldivian counterpart at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the morning.

The Maldivian President, as part of his three-day Bangladesh visit, will pay a courtesy call on President Hamid at Credential Hall of Bangabhaban at 7 pm on Thursday.

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will also sign the visitors’ book at Bangabhaban and witness the signing of some MoUs between the two countries, the press secretary added.

Later, the Maldivian President will join dinner and cultural programme hosted by his Bangladesh counterpart at Durbar Hall ground of Bangabhaban.