Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
Help people in villages in cultivation activities: PM to Ansar and VDP
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (February 12, 2023) reiterated that the country will never look back again and it will move forward to become a developed, prosperous, and smart Bangladesh.
“Insha Allah, this country will never look back again. Bangladesh is advancing and will advance more… it will be ‘Smart Bangladesh’. We will have the ‘Sonar Bangla’,” she said.
The prime minister said this while addressing the 43rd National Assembly-2023 of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP as the chief guest at the Ansar and VDP Academy in Gazipur’s Shafipur.
Read more: Allow more women to excel in science: PM to int’l community
She said that the country was liberated with the supreme sacrifice of blood during the Liberation War.
“Today Bangladesh got the recognition of a developing country, and we want to advance further. We want to build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous country, alongside ensuring socioeconomic progress,” she said.
People in the country will not beg to anyone, she said.
Read More: Encourage people to pay tax instead of harassment: PM Hasina asks revenue collectors
Sheikh Hasina said that the coronavirus pandemic created immense pressure on the economy at the international level, while Russia-Ukraine war caused global recession, not just in Bangladesh.
“I urge everyone to follow the footsteps of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman… do not keep a single inch of arable land unutilized,” she said.
“For that Ansar and VDP can play a special role. They can help people in the villages and engage them in various cultivation activities to produce crops and preserve those. I hope that you will contribute,” the PM added.
Read More: Off duty OCs clash with Ansar over parking at amusement park
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Public Security Division Senior Secretary Md Aminul Islam Khan, and Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Major General AKM Aminul Haque welcomed the prime minister when she arrived at the venue.
The PM handed over medals to 180 Ansar and VDP members for their outstanding contribution to their respective fields.
She also inspected the parade and witnessed a smartly-turned out contingent of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP. Later, she witnessed choreography and a cultural programme.
Read More: Shotguns, bullets snatched from Ansar members recovered; 10 held.
Allow more women to excel in science: PM to int’l community
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday urged the international community to work to address the barriers in mindset and learning environment to allow more women and girls to excel in science.
“It is unfortunate that women represent only 12% of scientists and 30% of researchers globally. We must work to address the barriers in mindsets and learning environments to allow more women and girls to excel in science,” she said.
The premier said this in a video statement screened at the 8th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly, held in the United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA.
“Today, we celebrate the women and girls who are making important contributions to the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” she said.
Also read: Come out of nightmare of an unelected government: PM
Hasina urged the women and girls to act as the agents of change themselves. “The women and girls in science and technology must remember that they are not alone. The steps they take would help open the door further for their sisters around the world,” she said.
She focused on her government’s steps for development of women in Bangladesh.
Turning to Bangladesh, the PM said, “I have made it a priority to have our women and girls lead in every sphere. Our women are doing very well in the field of research and higher education.”
She said scholarships are being given to girls to carry out research in agriculture, industry, health, science, art, information technology - all fields in Bangladesh.
To encourage girls, 5,275 digital centres have been established across Bangladesh from where one girl and one boy entrepreneur are providing 200 types of services, she said.
The premier said her government has established Science and Technology Universities across the country to give boys and girls easy access. Hi-tech Parks have created an inclusive environment where our girls can thrive alongside boys in the country, she added.
Hasina wished to see women and girls fulfill their potentials for innovation and creativity in science. “We must bridge the gaps in opportunities available for them in developed and developing countries. We want our girls to have their full share in building smart, knowledge-based societies,” she went on.
The PM congratulated all the women and girls on this International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
The 8th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly was held aiming to bridge between the international community and women in science through linking their knowledge and expertise and its applications in a systematic, critical way for the 2030 agenda and its 17 global goals.
The Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT), and co-organizing Member States celebrated the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in the UN Headquarters.
The theme of the assembly is “Innovate. Demonstrate. Elevate. Advance. (I.D.E.A.) to bring communities forward for sustainable and equitable development.”
President is very successful: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the life of President Md Abdul Hamid is very successful as he proved his patriotism and sense of responsibility in every case.
“He (the President) has exposed his patriotism and sense of responsibility in every case. He proved it. I think his life is very successful ….….He has been making a lot of contribution to our politics and the overall development and welfare of the country’s masses,” she said.
The PM was addressing as the chief guest in the publication ceremony of two books composed by President Md Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban in the city.
The two books titled ‘Amar Jibanniti Amar Rajniti’ (My Life Principles and My Politics) and ‘Swapna Joyer Icchha’ (Desire to Win Dreams). The first is an autobiography published by Bangla Academy and the second one is a 2-volume collection of the writer’s speeches, which were published by Gourob Prakashan.
Sheikh Hasina said the President has left an invaluable asset for the people by writing this autobiography.
She requested him to continue his writing on the next episode of his life, particularly his experiences as the President.
“I think that we can learn many things about the history of Bangladesh from the life of a politician. So, I would like to request the President to write about the next episode of his life, particularly his experiences as the President,” she said.
Talking about his family life, the PM said he (Abdul Hamid) is a successful husband, father and the President.
President Md. Abdul Hamid, also the writer of the two books, spoke at the event as its chair and his spouse Rashida Khanam gave the vote of thanks.
Besides, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury addressed the function as the special guest, while seasoned politician Tofail Ahmed discussed the books.
Director General of Bangla Academy Mohammad Nurul Huda delivered the welcome speech in the publication ceremony.
LNG import on track to support power generation
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the process of importing LNG from the spot market has already been taken to meet the demand of gas for power generation for the ongoing agricultural irrigation season, upcoming Ramadan and summer season.
The Prime Minister said this while responding to a tabled question from Jatiya Party MP Fakhrul Imam.
She said that in 2008, the daily gas production capacity was 1,744 million cubic feet. In 2018, production capacity increased to 2,750 million cubic feet.
“And currently the daily gas production capacity is 2,300 million cubic feet,” she said.
The Leader of the House said that in order to meet the increased demand of gas for power generation during the current agricultural irrigation season, Ramadan and summer, to keep the production uninterrupted in the industrial sector and to continue the production of captive power produced under the own management of various factories for export, the increased demand must be met by importing LNG at a high price from the spot market.
She said that is why the government has decided to increase the price of gas used only in electricity, industry, captive power and commercial sectors, leaving other consumer groups unchanged.
“The process of importing LNG from the spot market has already been adopted to meet the demand of gas in the said sectors.”
In response to the question of the ruling Party MP Kazim Uddin Ahmed, the Prime Minister said that the unprecedented success of increasing agricultural production and achieving food self-sufficiency in Bangladesh during the Awami League government has caught the attention of the world.
Read more: Dependence on LNG import to continue, more terminals to be set up: Energy Advisor
Hasina said as per the election manifesto of Awami League, one of the goals of the government is to ensure food security and increase the export of agricultural products.
“For this purpose, our government is ensuring reforms in fertiliser management, providing incentives to small and marginal farmers affected by natural calamities and development assistance in agricultural inputs including fertiliser,” she said.
The Prime Minister said that agricultural machinery is being provided with development assistance to introduce modern agricultural system in the country.
She said that agricultural loans at low interest rates, fertilisers at affordable prices, improved varieties of seeds and irrigation are being arranged to help the farmers.
“As a result, despite climate change and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the global crisis, efforts to improve agriculture and introduce modern farming systems have continued,” she added.
In response to another question from Jatiya Party's Rustam Ali Farazi, Hasina said that the government is observing global situation regarding the possibility of a recession in the world economy in 2023 and is taking various steps to keep Bangladesh free from the effects of a possible recession.
“Fiscal policy and monetary policy are coordinated very carefully,” she added.
The Prime Minister said that the government has taken steps to reduce unnecessary expenditure to continue the flow of necessary resources to the productive and social security sectors.
She said that if the flow of resources to the income generating productive sector
and purchasing power of the marginalised people under the social safety-net programmes can be kept normal, the impact of the economic recession will be mitigated to a large extent and It can be avoided.
JS adopts condolence motion on MP Moslem Uddin’s death
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said the death of AL MP elected from Chattogram-8 Moslem Uddin Ahmed is a great loss for Awami League.
“He had the sincerity and dutifulness to the party and responsibility towards the country, It is a big loss for Awami League,” she said taking part in the condolence motion in Parliament.
The PM said that the nation will remember him forever as he was a dedicated person for the party and the country.
The 75-year-old MP died at a hospital in Dhaka on Sunday night where he was being treated for cancer.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud, Awami League MP Mosharraf Hossain, Whip Samshul Haque Chowdhury, Whip Abu Saeed Al Mahmud Swapan and Jatiya Party MPs Anisul Islam Mahmud, Kazi Firoz Rashid and Mashiur Rahman Ranga also spoke.
Hasina said that despite his illness she made Moslem Uddin the president of Chattogram Awami League.
Read more: Parliament adopts condolence motion
She said that he has come up through politics since his student life and was involved in the politics of Bangladesh Chhatra League, Jubo League and Awami League.
“He was always active during the Liberation War in 1971 or the movement before it. He participated in the war,” she said.
She recalled that Moslem Uddin and Mohiuddin Chowdhury were also arrested during an operation in 1971.
Hasina said that Moslem Uddin was with those who protested in Chattogram against the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“He was active in all movements,” she said.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the motion in the House in the beginning of the session.
A one-minute silence was observed and a munajat was offered seeking eternal peace for the departed souls. Tarikat Federation MP Najibul Bashar Maijbhandari conducted the munajat.
Later, due to the death of the running MP of the current Parliament, the meeting of the parliament was adjourned as per custom.
PM likely to attend G20 Summit in New Delhi September
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to attend the 18th G20 Summit which will take place in New Delhi on September 9-10 this year.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited her Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina to attend the Summit.
India, which holds the Presidency of the G20 from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023, has invited Bangladesh as a “guest country” in its all meetings, spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Seheli Sabrin told reports at a weekly briefing on Thursday.
Bangladesh sees its series of engagements with the Group of Twenty (G20) under India’s Presidency this year as a “big honour” for the country.
“We will raise our issues there. It is a big honour for us. We should be prudent,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently, noting that Bangladesh is the only South Asian country invited by the host.
The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier forum for international economic cooperation, which plays an “important role” in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues.
India has invited Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as guest countries to its meetings and summit, according to the Ministry of External Affairs, India.
Apart from the G20 leaders, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil El-Sisi, Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, Oman Head of State Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have been invited to the G20 Summit.
Meanwhile, Momen will attend the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi on March 1-2.
Hasina paid a state visit to India from September 5 to 8 last year at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
Read more: Being invited to G20 Summit is a big honour for Bangladesh, says Momen
Ahead of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister’s visits, Vinay Kwatra will be in Dhaka in the third week of February to have bilateral talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Masud Bin Momen, said a diplomatic source.
Kwatra assumed charge as foreign secretary on May 1 last year.
The Group of Twenty (G20) comprises 19 countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom and United States and the European Union.
The G20 members represent around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.
PM meets president
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday paid a courtesy call to President Abdul Hamid at his office at the Jatiya Sangsad.
"During the meeting, they discussed different state-level issues, especially the steps undertaken by the government for the socio-economic development of the country," President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told UNB.
Read more: PMO's Principal Secretary meets President Abdul Hamid
Also, President Hamid thanked PM Hasina for unveiling his autobiographical book "Amar Jibanniti, Amar Rajniti" at the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2023, he added.
PM Hasina warns of conspiracies to disturb stability in Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday blasted those who argue for an unelected government, saying that many conspiracies would be hatched to disturb the current stability in the country.
“Now there'll be many sorts of conspiracy to spoil a stable environment. But I believe in the people and work for them. Our goal is to serve the country,” she said.
The premier said this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2023, the annual event of booklovers and publishers, in the capital.
She opened the country’s biggest book fair in the afternoon, joining its inaugural ceremony in person on the Bangla Academy premise after a gap of three years induced by Covid-19 pandemic.
Hasina said there are some ‘wise persons and scientists’ in the country who argue that bringing an unelected government to power for two years won’t make the earth shake.
“It is right that it will not make the Mahabharata incorrect. But it will make our constitution incorrect,” she said.
Noting that there was an unelected government during the 2007-2008, she questioned who gained at that time.
The PM said her government took steps to continue the democratic process. Bangladesh has witnessed development thanks to the continuation of the democratic trend.
Read more: PM opens Ekushey Book Fair 2023 in person for first time in 3 years
“Since we brought the 15th amendment to the constitution, stability now prevails in Bangladesh,” she said.
She said her government has been able to keep the wheels of the country’s economy moving facing all natural and manmade disasters.
“Now stability prevails in the country. I think some people are there who don’t feel comfortable with the stability in the country. If anyone wishes to come to power, the person should stand in line with the people, join elections and seek votes. If the people choose them, they will be in power,” she said.
About electoral reforms, Hasina mentioned the steps taken by her government to make the balloting fair. She said transparent ballot boxes and national identity cards have been introduced and electoral rolls with photographs prepared as per the proposals placed by her party and alliance so that the people would exercise their voting rights peacefully and freely.
In an oblique reference to BNP’s victory in 30 constituencies out of 300 in the 2008 general election, she said “How will those who got only 30 seats (in 2008 election) will get seats?”
She said her party gained public support through its work.
Read more: BNP must lead efforts towards strong united front to oust govt: Mosharraf
The PM said her government built Digital Bangladesh which brought benefits, but it has some bad impacts. “I want you to take a decision knowing the actual scenario, not based on what you see or hear (on digital platforms),” she said.
PM opens Ekushey Book Fair 2023 in person for first time in 3 years
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday inaugurated the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair-2023, the annual event of booklovers and publishers, in the capital.
The premier opened the country’s biggest book fair in the afternoon, joining its inaugural ceremony in person on the Bangla Academy premise after a gap of three years induced by Covid-19 pandemic.
The fair is being held on the Academy premises and its adjoining Suhrawardy Udyan with the theme “Poro Boi, Goro Desh-Bangabandhu’r Bangladesh” (Read Books, Build the Country as Bangladesh dreamt by Bangabandhu).
Addressing the opening ceremony, the prime minister stressed the need for translation of Bengali literary works in foreign languages to reach out to the non-Bengali readers as well as for creation of digital versions of books to reach the larger readers.
She said 21st February got recognition as the international mother language day. So, a large responsibility was bestowed upon Bangladesh to make Bengali language familiar to the world arena in a massive way, she said.
“If we want to do it, we need to translate and put emphasis on the translation of our literary works,” said Hasina.
She said all the books of Bengali literature, which would be published, should be translated into different languages, not only one or two books in a year.
Hasina said Bangla Academy and International Mother Language Institute can jointly take the initiative for the translation of Bengali literary works.
Noting that the Father of the Nation once arranged an international literature fair, she asked Bangla Academy to take such initiatives for hosting international fair on its premise.
The PM thanked Bangla Academy for arrangement of book fairs in the districts saying that there is now scope and facilities to arrange such events even in upazila level as there are cultural academies in every area.
“Our young generation will stay away from drugs, terrorism and militancy as much as we can attract them into our literature and cultural exercises. Then they would get scope to lead normal life and flourish their talents through the practice of literature,” she said.
She said the scope for sports, practices of literature and culture should be taken to even the grassroots level of the country for the grooming of the young generations.
Also read: Amar Ekushey Book Fair to continue until March 17: State Minister
Mentioning that now it is digital era and her government made the country as digital Bangladesh, the PM said it is very essential to make digital versions including audio versions of books to reach out to larger readers.
Though reading the digital version of a book doesn’t give the real satisfaction, such versions should be created to create scopes for wider readers, she said.
The book fair will remain open for the visitors from 3 pm to 9 pm on working days and 11:00 am to 9 pm on the holidays. However, the visitors can enter the fair on International Mother Language Day at 8am, and all entrance points will be closed after 8.30pm every day.
A total of 901 stalls have been allocated to 601 organisations for this year’s book fair, compared to 776 stalls to 534 organisations last year.
Of these, 165 stalls have been allocated to 112 organizations on the Bangla Academy premises, the rest 736 stalls to 489 organizations at Suhrawardy Udyan. Moreover, a total of 38 pavilions have been allocated this year.
All the 489 stalls inside Suhrawardi Udyan have been set up in a way so that a visitor can see the whole fairground from any corner.
The temple gate of the Suhrawardi Udyan is the main entrance, which is located opposite the Bangla Academy. Also, there are three more entrances and exits nearby the Teacher-Student Center (TSC), Doyel Chattar and the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB).
The entire fair zone will be closely monitored by more than 300 CCTV cameras.
At the opening ceremony, the prime minister distributed the Bangla Academy Sahitya Puroshkar-2022 (Bangla Academy Literary Award 2022) among its recipients.
She handed over the award to the 15 recipients under 11 categories. Each awardee received a cheque for award money, a crest and a certificate.
Faruk Mahmud and Tarik Sujat received the award for poetry, while Taposh Mojumdar and Parvez Hossain for novels, Masuduzzaman for essays/research and Alam Khorshed for translation.
The other awardees are Milan Kanti Dey and Farid Ahmad Dulal for drama, Druba Esh for juvenile literature, Muhammad Shamsul Haque for research on the Liberation War, Subhash Singha Roy for research on Bangabandhu, Mokarram Hossain for science/science fiction/environmental science, Iktiar Chowdhury for biography and travelogue and Professor Abdul Khaleq and Professor Mohammad Abdul Jalil for folklore.
The Bangla Academy Sahitya Puroshkar is given in recognition of creativity and talents in advancement and overall contributions to the field of Bengali language and literature.
The Prime Minister unveiled the cover of seven new books published by Bangla Academy. The books include Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Rachonaboli Volume-I edited by Sheikh Hasina, Amar Jibanniti Amar Rajniti composed by Abdul Hamid, Asamapta Ajmajibani Path Bislashan, Karagarer Rojnamcha Path Bislashan and Amar Dekha Nayachin Path Bislashan composed by Mohammad Nurul Huda.
After the inauguration of the fair, Sheikh Hasina visited different stalls there.
The book fair is arranged every year in February commemorating the sacrifices of language heroes who laid down their lives on February 21, 1952, for establishing Bangla as an official language of the then-Pakistan along with Urdu. Bangladesh was the eastern wing of Pakistan until its liberation in 1971.
But the traditional dates of the fair got shifted for the past two editions due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The traditional Amar Ekushey Book Fair had started informally in 1972 on the Bangla Academy premises and then in 1978 the academy officially took the responsibility of arranging the fair every year.
Bangabandhu’s youngest daughter Sheikh Rehana was present in the inaugural ceremony presided over by Bangla Academy President novelist Selina Hossain.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Abul Monsur, Bangla Academy Director General poet Nurul Huda and president of Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association Arif Hossain Choton spoke on the occasion.
Constitution’s 15th amendment stopped illegal grabbing of power: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the 15th amendment to the constitution has strengthened the country’s democracy and empowered the people to decide who will go to power by stopping the path of unlawful capture of the state power. “Stability has been prevailing in the country since the 15th amendment to the constitution leading to the long continued democratic process. So, nowadays no unelected person can capture state power illegally,” she said.
Read more: Let’s stand firm by Palestinians: PM Hasina urges Muslim Ummah
The premier was addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected mayor and councillors of Rangpur City Corporation at her office here in the city.
The 15th amendment, passed by the parliament on June 30, 2011, made some significant changes to the constitution including the one that ended the illegal take-over of power.
She said the apex court had declared illegal the seizure of state power by issuing martial law after violating the country's constitution and this has ensured the voting and democratic rights of the people of the country.
“We have strengthened the country's democracy by bringing (15th) amendment to the constitution following the declaration (the apex court verdict). This democracy is meant to reinforce the power of people and empower them to decide who will or won’t go to power,” said Hasina.
But, the empowerment of the people has become a matter of heart-burning for a section of so-called intellectuals as they never come to power through the people’s votes, she said, adding that they have been trying to disturb the democratic process time and again.
Read more: ‘Bangladesh couldn’t have achieved this level of development without continued democratic trends’
“They, who are never to be elected by people’s vote and fear to face the masses, have inner burning due to this reason, “she added.
The PM reminded all that the Awami League government was the only one in the history of Bangladesh, which handed over the power peacefully on the completion of its 1999-2001 tenure.
She, however, mentioned that the transparent ballot box and preparing electoral rolls with photographs had been introduced in accordance with the proposal of the Awami League-led grand alliance to hold elections in free and fair manners.
Hasina said the Election Commission has been constituted through a search committee as per a new law enacted by her government that has made it more transparent and accountable. The government has given the commission full financial independence so that it can hold a free and fair election.
The PM administered the oath to new RCC mayor Mostafizar Rahman Mostafa, who was elected as a Jatiya Party candidate.
Read more: AL won’t run away, rather will continue developing Bangladesh: PM in Rajshahi
Besides, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Md Tajul Islam administered the councillors including those who got elected from the reserve seats.
State Minister for the LGRD and Cooperatives Swapan Bhattacharjee was present on the dais while, Local Government division secretary Muhammad Ibrahim moderated the function.
Jatiya Party candidate Mostafa won the mayoral race for the second consecutive term in the Rangpur City Corporation elections held on 27 December last.