Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday firmly said Bangladesh will attain the status of a developed nation by accelerating the pace of development. “We have attained the status of a developing nation. We have to step forward maintaining this status so that we can build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh which was the dream of the father of the nation,” she said. She was speaking at a programme to celebrate Bangladesh’s graduation from LDC to a developing country, a status recognised by the United Nations. The main programme was held at Laboni Point of Cox’s Bazar along with some other places of the country. The prime minister joined the programme virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. She said “Bangladesh now proudly stands in the world as a dignified nation. This journey towards advancement must not be stopped, that is my desire,” she said. Read: Children with special needs are no burden, says PM She urged all to remain alert so that the development programmes that the government is implementing to take the country to the next level continue uninterrupted “Bangladesh is advancing with irresistible speed....this forward march must continue so generations after generations can live  beautiful life,” she said. She mentioned that the government has formulated Vision 2041 to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country and started to reach that goal. “So no one can pull back Bangladesh again. We will make Bangladesh as the Golden Bengal of the father of the nation,” she vowed. In an emotion choked voice Hasina recalled the assasination of her father and most of the family members on August 15, 1975. The tragedy had left her and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana alone, with no kith and kin except the people of Bangladesh, she said. Read: Bangladesh Parliament passes local govt amendment bill  "I shall not hesitate to give up my life for you like my father had done. Whatever the hurdles come, we will surely change the fate of this country’s people,” she said. She said that all will get beautiful and developed life. She said that the trust and confidence of the people are the driving force for the the government to work for their welfare. The prime minister also exchanged views with some beneficiaries of the housing schemes taken for climate change refugees. They greeted her, the architect of building of a developing nation, and prayed for her long life. Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, State Minister for Ministry of Youth and Sports Md. Zahid Ahsan Russel, Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus and Economic Relations Division Secretary Fatima Yasmin also spoke at the programme. A documentary on the development of the country was screened at the programme. Later, the prime minister enjoyed a colourful cultural programme.