President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday urged the senior politicians to come forward to highlight the authentic history in front of the new and future generations to enrich them with the spirit of Liberation War and independence. "If we want to enrich our new and future generations with the spirit of Liberation War and independence, we should tell them the authentic history of these things. And this is the responsibility of all of us," he said. The President made the statement while delivering his speech at the publication festival of his two books 'Amar Jiban Niti, Amar Rajniti and 'Swapna Jayer Ichcha'. The event was organised at the Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present as the chief guest while Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury and Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique spoke as special guests. He said that independence is the biggest achievement of the Bengali nation.  Struggle of independence and liberation war is the most important chapter in the history of Bengali nation. The two-time president referred to himself as a common man born in the remote areas of Hoar region and raised in the mud of Hoar, and said that he never did politics with the aim of getting or becoming something. His politics started from his school life. "I have not seen Bangabandhu yet. But the noble call of the great man always exposed me to the spirit of the independence movement. The first meeting with Bangabandhu was  in 1964. And from then on, my activities in the politics began." "Bangabandhu's political philosophy and ideology became my path.  He was one and only sources of the ideal and inspiration in the language movement of 1952, Anti-military movement of 1958,  six points of 1966, 11 points of the Chhatra League,   uprising of 1969, general election of 1970 and liberation war of 1971. And he is the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," he added. This senior politician also commented that Bangabandhu's ideals and inspiration have given him strength to face all the ups and downs in life, including facing extreme situation. "I prefer to think of myself as a worker of Bangabandhu. Please pray for me so that I can uphold Bangabandhu's teachings and ideals and live as a soldier of Bangabandhu's ideals till the end of my life," he added. He also thanked everyone who was directly or indirectly associated with the publication of his autobiographical books.  After inaugurating the Book Fair this year, the Prime Minister unveiled the autobiographical book 'Amar Jiban Niti, Amar Rajniti'. Mentioning 'Bangabandhu is my political  spiritual guide, my journey to the politics started under his guidance', the President said that he started writing the autobiographical book with the intention of presenting the history of his political life to the next generation.  "I am very grateful to my wife for inspiring me to start writing. Late Mainuddin Uddin Khandkar also played a significant role in this regard," he added. In order to spread the ideals of Bangabandhu from generation to generation, Hamid called on all those who came close to Bangabandhu to write autobiographies. In addition, the first and second volume of the book entitled 'Swapna joyer Ichcha' is basically a collection of speeches given on various occasions during 2013-2018. The book was compiled and edited by the Press Wing of Bangabhaban. After the welcome speech, Bangabandhu's close companion and longtime political colleague of the President, a member of the advisory council of Bangladesh Awami League Tofail Ahmed discussed the two books. First Lady Rashida Khanam gave the vote of thanks.  Director General of Bangla Academy Mohammad Nurul Huda delivered the welcome speech in the publication ceremony. Later, the visual documentary on the glorious history of Bangabhaban was displayed on two side screens of the stage. Then, a brief cultural soiree was held by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy there. On the occasion of the conclusion of the first session of the 11th National Parliament in 2023, a cultural programme and dinner was organized in honour of the Prime Minister, Speaker, Ministers, Members of Parliament. For more than a long month, a discussion was held on the President's speech in the National Parliament. In the discussion, the parliamentarians gave their well hought--out views on various issues related to the interests of the country and the people.  Hamid asked all to continue the development work in their respective areas with more sincerity and compassion for the welfare of the people. Read more: President is very successful: PM    

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that the government is trying to end the need for load shedding from this current month.“We’ll try to come out of load shedding by the end of this month. Till then we’ll try to keep the load shedding within half an hour in urban areas and one hour in rural areas,” he told reporters at Keraniganj in his constituency.Once again, he said many countries in the world had to adjust fuel prices.“Countries like Germany had to increase the price by 20 percent. They cut energy consumption as well,” he said. Read: Power crisis will not last long: Nasrul Hamid He said increased fuel prices have been affecting 'everyone everywhere'.He assured that the current load shedding and petroleum price hike is a short term measure.“We seek cooperation of all consumers,” he said, adding that it is not correct that the bus operators stayed off the road for fuel price hike.He said the Energy Division had set an indicative hike in transport fare.“We had a number meeting with transport operators before the announcement of adjustment in fuel price,” he said.

Spanish Ambassador to Bangladesh Francisco de Asis Benitez Salas met President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban Thursday. The Spanish envoy handed over a letter of greeting from the king of Spain on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and Spain, President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told the media. Read: 84 die in first 3 days of Spain's heat wave Calling Spain one of Bangladesh's development partners, President Hamid hoped that the bilateral cooperation between the counties in trade and tourism would be further expanded. The president also hoped that Spain would continue to pressure Myanmar to create conditions for the repatriation of Rohingyas. Hamid thanked the Spanish government for its support in publishing Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's autobiography "The Unfinished Memories" in Spanish. He expressed regret over the damage caused by the heatwaves in European countries, including Spain, and stressed working together to combat climate change.

President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday congratulated Emmanuel Macron on being re-elected as the President of France. In a congratulatory message, Hamid said your re-election testifies the trust and confidence the French people have reposted on your leadership and your all inclusive projects and commitments for their better future. "I hope, under your stewardship, France will continue a leading role in ensuring global peace, prosperity and security," he also said. READ: Romanian ambassador presents credentials to President Hamid amid hope of growing Dhaka-Bucharest ties He said that Bangladesh and France enjoy excellent bilateral relations which are rooted in shared values, democracy, equality and fraternity.  "We also recall moral and material support of the French people during our Liberation war in 1971. Since our independence, our relations have grown over the years and expanded in many areas of co-operation through meaningful engagement," he also said.