Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday called for national unity to ensure the country’s march towards development and prosperity. “In all work we have to remain united and have to continue it. If we can do it, Bangladesh will never ever go backwards again,” she said after opening the country’s largest thermal coal-fired power plant at Patuakhali’s Payra to add 1320 MW of electricity to the national grid. In a double delight for the nation the PM also marked the occasion with a proud declaration of the country's 100 per cent electricity coverage. “It’s a gift from me to the people of the country ahead of Ramadan and the holy Eid-ul Fitr,” she told the cheering audience at the plant site.  Matching with the capacity of the plant, a joint venture between Bangladesh and China, Hasina released 1320 pigeons before formally switching on the station. Read: National strategy soon for smooth graduation from LDC: PM Hasina From the jetty of the plant she waved at a parade of 200 flag-waving decorated boats sailing past her on the Payra River. In her speech, first in-person since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic two years ago, the prime minister recalled 15th August tragedy. She narrated in a choked voice how she overcame the pains of losing her loved ones on that black night to work hard to materialise the dreams of the Father of the Nation to make every citizen happy. Read: PM opens Payra power plant, declares full electricity coverage of Bangladesh Hasina said that Bangladesh’s engineers have gathered huge experience and skills through working in various mega projects and they themselves will have to implement the country’s big projects in the coming days.