Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
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.
Construction work of underground metro rail to be inaugurated Thursday
The construction work of underground metro rail will be inaugurated on February 2, said Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) authorities on Tuesday.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the underground metro rail around 11 am at Purbachal New town area, said MAN Siddique, Managing Director of DMTCL.
Read more: Dhaka underground metro rail: Inauguration of construction work on February 2
A public meeting will be held at Rajuk Commercial Plot near Rupganj Jamta High School on the occasion, said DMTCL MD.
A depot will be built on 88.71 acres of land in Pitalganj involving Tk 607.65 crore, though which the construction work of the underground metro rail will start, said Siddique.
All metro trains of Airport route and Purbachal route will get the opportunity of using the depot, he said.
Read More: Dhaka Metro Rail Uttara to Agargaon Route: A Detail Overview
PM to unveil 25 dev projects in Rajshahi on Sunday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will on Sunday inaugurate 25 development projects completed at a cost of Tk 1317 crore in Rajshahi City and across the district.
At the event she will also lay foundation stones of six new development projects in Rajshahi City and district to be constructed at a cost of Tk 376 crore including new Tathya Bhaban Complex in the City.
Read more: Digital connectivity key to build Smart Bangladesh: PM Hasina
Recently completed development projects include: Flyover at Mohanpur Rail Crossing, Rajshahi Police Headquarters Building, Rajshahi Civil Surgeon Office building, Sheikh Russel Shishu Park, two storey hostel with six storey foundation for Girl Students of Rajshahi Government Girls College, five storey academic building at Rajshahi Charghat Technical School and College, Multipurpose Bhaban at Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Padma River Protection Dam at Charghat and Bagha Upazilas in Rajshahi, Land Reclamation and Increasing Navigation through Padma River Dredging at Charghat and Bagha Upazilas.
After inaugurating the projects, the prime minister will address a public rally at Rajshahi Madrasa Ground to be arranged by the district Awami League in the afternoon.
Read more: Will correct if opposition can find my failure: PM Hasina in Parliament
PM Hasina will begin the Rajshahi tour by attending the passing out parade of the probationary Assistant Police Supers of 38th BCS Police Cadre at Sarda Police Training Academy.
A total of 97 ASPs from BCS Police Cadre 38th Batch are participating in the year-long training at the Sarda Police Academy.
Govt is preparing to hold a free, fair election: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the government is taking all preparations to hold the next general election of the country in a free and fair manner.
“The next election will be free and fair, we are taking all kinds of preparations,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while outgoing Switzerland ambassador Nathalie Chuard called on her at her Sangsad Bhaban office.
PM’s speech writer M Nazrul Islam briefed the reporters after the call on.
He said that the Prime Minister said that the government has formed a neutral Election Commission after enacting Election Commission Law and through a search committee.
“The foreign observers will come to oversee the election of the country and they will do their job freely,” she said.
Hasina said that the Election Commission is totally independent and the government has no control over it and its budget.
Hasina, also the president of the ruling Awami League, said that Awami League is the major political party of Bangladesh, which has its base upto the grassroots level.
“This political party took birth from the mass people,” she said.
The Prime Minister said that BNP and Jatiya Party were born in cantonment. Chiefs of these two parties first became president by illegally grabbing the state power, later they formed their political parties.
“They do not have any base among the mass people,” she said.
Regarding Jamaat-e-Islami, she said that they were involved in crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of the country in 1971. “They also do not have any base among the mass people,” she said.
She said that if the people vote the AL in the next election, it will form the government.
She said that over the last 14 years the government has transformed the country massively.
“It was possible as the people cast their votes in 2008 election for AL and its alliance giving two-third majority,” she said.
Read more: Stay ready to offer a fair, acceptable election, Home Minister tells DCs
Hasina said that AL always believes in the power of people and works for flourishing the democracy.
Regarding the Rohingya issue, she said that over one million Myanmar nationals living here are a burden for Bangladesh.
She urged all western countries to extend their support to their return in their homeland.
She also said that due to the COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War negative impact occurred on the economy of the whole world.
She said that these two elements forced the developing countries including Bangladesh into hardship.
“We are trying to offset this impact,” she added.
She questioned who are gaining from this war, only the arms sellers are making profit.
“The world should stop this war at once,” she said.
The Prime Minister also briefly described women empowerment in the country.
Switzerland ambassador Nathalie Chuard said that Bangladesh is graduating to a developing country from the least developed one and her country will continue to support Bangladesh for its smooth transition.
“I will always remain as a well-wisher of Bangladesh,” she said.
She said that she visited every corner of the country and she was impressed to witness the remarkable and impressive development of the country.
Nathalie Chuard said that Bangladesh has to face some challenges including COVID-19 pandemic, Russia-Ukraine War and climate change.
“I am hoping that Bangladesh will be able to advance further facing all these challenges,” she said.
She appreciated the quality of democracy, its stability and good relations with neighbouring countries.
She also highly appreciated the progress in women empowerment in the country.
Regarding Rohingya issue, she thinks that they should go back to their homeland quickly.
Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin and Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present.
Will correct if opposition can find my failure: PM Hasina in Parliament
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said that she stands ready for correction if the opposition parties can find out any failure of her government.
She said this while responding to a question from Jatiya Party lawmaker Fakhrul Imam during PM’s question hour in Parliament.
“People will judge the successes and failures. It is not my responsibility to judge that. Why should I fail if I work with honesty and specific goals for the welfare of the people? Whether I've success or success, the people will decide,” she said.
Read more: Next stop, Smart Bangladesh: PM lays out renewed vision at BASA meet
“Since you are so interested, please find out my failures, I will correct those," she told the JP lawmaker.
She said that after the formation of the government, she has worked with the desire that the grassroots people will stay well.
“People are getting the benefits now. Elderly people will understand the radical changes that happebed in Bangladesh in the last 14 years,” she said.
But, she said that today's generation will not realise that.
In response to a question from ruling party MP AKM Rahmatullah, the prime minister said that after killing Bangabandhu, late Gen. Ziaur Rahman seized power illegally and freed the war criminals and rehabilitated them.
By changing two clauses of the constitution, Zia allowed them to do politics and gave the right to vote.
“Many war criminals including Ghulam Azam were brought back from Pakistan and given citizenship. Zia made war criminals as advisors and ministers," she said.
Read more: PM directs DCs to increase food production, exercise austerity
She said Zia’s wife Khaleda Zia also gave war criminals place in her cabinet after she came to power.
“It is disgraceful for a nation to patronise war criminals like this. Genuine freedom fighters who did not agree to join hands with Zia were omitted from the list of freedom fighters. They were humiliated as Zia included the non-freedom fighters in the list of freedom fighters. They did not want to honour the real freedom fighters.”
In response to ruling party MP Benazir Ahmed's question, Sheikh Hasina said that the corona pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have affected the global economy.
“Bangladesh is no exception. Along with other overall economic and social negative effects, this has affected the market prices of daily necessities," she admitted.
In reply to a supplementary question of ruling party MP Mozaffar Hossain, the PM said that Bangladesh's garment industry has expanded widely, but there is difficulties finding technical persons in there.
“Many people are brought from abroad and given jobs," she said.
In this connection, she said, her government has established textile universities and colleges In order to create skilled manpower in this sector.
The prime minister said that at the moment the government has no plan to create any new cadre in the BCS. “But may consider it in future.”
Next stop, Smart Bangladesh: PM lays out renewed vision at BASA meet
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said her government wants to turn Bangladesh into a developed country with income per capita hitting at least $12,000 by 2041.
"We want to build Bangladesh as a developed country by 2041. We have been able to raise our per capita income $2824. But we don't want to remain stagnant at this stage, rather want to move forward in phases. Our goal is to attain at least $12,000 per capita income by 2041," she said.
The premier was addressing the annual conference of Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here.
Sheikh Hasina said now Bangladesh is the 35th largest economy in the world as the country has already jumped up five steps, which is not a small matter. “But keep it in mind that the faster you move forward, the more conspiracy and plots you will face,” she added.
Noting that many had not wanted Bangladesh to achieve independence, she said, “So, many don't like our progress. Those who had not supported us during our liberation war now can think that we (Bangladesh) are moving ahead defying them.”
She described herself as a dedicated person to serve the people. “I’ve come (in power) not to enjoy the power rather to give something to the people,” she added.
Mentioning that her government made the country as Digital Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina said they have now announced that the country would be built as developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041.
In Smart Bangladesh, there would be a smart population equipped with IT knowledge, smart economy and smart government (means e-governance), she added.
Read more: AL never considers what it gets in return of working for the people: PM Hasina
The Prime Minister thanked the government officers and employees as the country is marching forward due to their sincere works.
“Today, Bangladesh has been able to move forward. The wheels of our economy remained moving even during the Covid-19 pandemic. So, I would like to thank you all. It has been possible because everyone worked with sincerity,” she said.
State Minister for the Public Administration Ministry Farhad Hossain, Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain and PM's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah also spoke at the event.
BASA President and also Shipping Secretary Md Mostafa Kamal delivered the welcome speech, while BASA secretary general and also additional secretary of Industries Ministry SM Alam gave the vote of thanks.
Read more: Far-right and far-left side with BNP to unseat govt: PM Hasina
Digital Bangladesh Fair kicks off on January 26
A three-day ‘Digital Bangladesh Fair’ is going to commence from January 26 with the aim to make people aware of the latest developments in digital technologies in Sher-E-Bangla Nagar in the capital.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the fair virtually.
Posts and Telecommunications division in association with ISPAB is organising the fair at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre with the theme ‘Digital Bangladesh’s connectivity to highway’.
Read more: ‘Digital Fair 2020’ to take place online
The concerned division’s Secretary Abu Hena Morshed Zaman told UNB that the fair aims at putting up several issues including 5G, digital technologies, necessity of the digital connectivity and its usage.
PM unveils new book on Bangabandhu and his government
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday unveiled a book written focusing on the government of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and its basic outlines of building a new Bangladesh.
PM's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hosaain Miah composed the book titled "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman-er Sarkar: Desh Nirmane Moulik Ruprekha.'
The PM unwrapped the book at her office, said PM's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher.
ReadPM unveils book on Bangamata more:
The book highlighted a total of 47 issues related to the management of Bangabandhu's government, including the administration system, cabinet, budget, economy, foreign policy, planning, defence, infrastructure and communication, women's development, trade policy, legislation, civil service, education and human resources.
Sheikh Hasina wrote the preface of the book published by Pathak Shamabesh.
The book reflected the way Bangabandhu wanted to build Bangladesh, which would be research and guiding documents for the researchers, thinkers, economists, policy makers and political leaders who want to realize Bangabandhu's dream of building a Golden Bengal.
The book will be available at Pathak Shamabesh, Kataban, Dhaka.
Read more: PM unveils book on Bangabandhu