Sheikh Hasina
Another chance to watch "Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale" Monday
Rewinding the clock 40 years down the line and recreating the homecoming of a survivor of an assassinated family at the end of six years of torturous waiting and her journey onwards is a new breed of visual storytelling "Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale" introduced to the country.
With its local and global acclamation garnered due to its dramatic storytelling, the docufiction, shedding light on the less-explored aspects of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has not stopped casting its spell on the audience in past few years and is set to be rescreened on television channels on Monday.
BTV and BTV World will air the visual at 3:30pm marking her homecoming on this day in 1981 - May 17.
Also read: 'Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’ to be aired on television on her birthday
Ekattor TV is set to air at 3:30 pm, Somoy TV at 4:40 pm, ATN News at 11:15 pm, and Channel 24 at 5:00 pm on Monday.
2-day exhibition marking Sheikh Hasina’s homecoming begins in city
A two-day exhibition on information and news clipping marking the homecoming of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina began on Sunday on the premises of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi.
AL’s information and research affairs sub-committee arranged the exhibition titled "Sheikh Hasina's Four Decades: Irresistible Progress of Changed Bangladesh".
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader joined the inaugural programme as chief guest virtually while the party’s Advisory Council member Dr Mashiur Rahman presided over the meeting.
On May 17, 1981, Sheikh Hasina returned to the country after a long exile following the 1975 assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members.
Mentioning Sheikh Hasina as a popular political and development leader, Quader said the nation has come to know the true history of the Liberation War thanks to her.
Also read: Nation freed from stigma with Hasina’s homecoming: Quader
He said the verdicts in Bangabandhu's murder case and war crimes trials have been executed because of Sheikh Hasina.
Quader noted that there had been peaceful resolution of border and enclave issues and the maritime dispute thanks to the Prime Minister. He said Bangladesh got the fair share of Ganges water thanks to her and hoped that other outstanding issues would also be resolved.
The Awami League leader said the construction of Padma Bridge with domestic funds is almost complete only because Sheikh Hasina returned home. Besides, works of other mega projects, especially Metrorail and Bangabandhu Tunnel, are ongoing.
Quader said Bangladesh has become a member of the exclusive club of satellite-owning countries led by Bangabandhu's daughter Hasina.
He said Bangladesh today is moving ahead of Pakistan in all socio-economic indicators except nuclear bomb under her leadership.
Quader termed the prime minister as the most successful, brave and humane statesman in post-75 Bangladesh and said Sheikh Hasina is the name of the most successful diplomat.
Also read: Sheikh Hasina's Homecoming Day observed
He said Sheikh Hasina has been able to keep the country at a stable level even during the coronavirus pandemic keeping in mind the life and livelihood of the people.
The Awami League leader said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has turned Bangladesh into a food-surplus country.
Organising Secretary Afzal Hossain, Information and Research Affairs Secretary Dr Selim Mahmud, Office Secretary Barrister Biplob Barua and other leaders of the Awami League's Information and Research Subcommittee were also present at Dhanmondi No. 32.
On the other hand, Dhaka City North unit of the party will arrange a discussion at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue at 11am on May 17 while its Dhaka City South unit will arrange a doa mahfil and discussion at Mahanagar Natyamancha at 3pm on that day marking the homecoming day.
Hasina greets Freedom Fighters on Eid
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday greeted all the Freedom Fighters (FFs) of the country on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Like other occasions, the Prime Minister sent flowers, fruits and sweetmeats to the war-wounded Freedom Fighters and members of the martyred families at Martyred and War-wounded Freedom Fighters’ Rehabilitation Centre (Muktijoddha Tower-1) at Gaznavi Road in the capital’s Mohammadpur area as a mark of her good wishes for them.
PM’s Assistant Private Secretary-2 Gazi Hafizur Rahman Liku, Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher and Assistant Press Secretary ABM Sarwar-e-Alam Sarkar handed over these items to them in the morning.
The war-wounded FFs and members of the martyred families expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister for remembering them on every national day and festivals like Independence Day, Victory Day, Eid and Pahela Baishakh.
Also read: Another Eid under the shadow of Covid-19 pandemic
They also expressed firm commitment to resist any act of terror in the name of religion and anti-state activities on the soil of independent Bangladesh at any cost.
They hoped that the successors of the Freedom Fighters and future generations would uphold this spirit.
They wished the Prime Minister good health and long life, and highly appreciated her farsighted leadership.
PM Hasina greets Assam’s new CM Dr Sarma
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday greeted Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on his assumption office as the Chief Minister of Assam, India.
Sheikh Hasina said the multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multi-faith people of Assam will progress towards a more vibrant society and greater development under Dr Sarma’s visionary leadership, said PMO press release.
The Prime Minister stressed that Bangladesh-India relations enjoy phenomenal warmth, depth, and diversity, where Assam is an integral part of this relationship.
She reiterated that 2021 is a special year for both India and Bangladesh as both the countries celebrate 50 years of bilateral relations and when Bangladesh particularly celebrates its Golden Jubilee of Independence as well as the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She mentioned that with Bangladesh poised to graduate into a middle-income country, Bangladesh invites Assam to reap benefits from its socio-economic development and growth trajectory.
The government remains steadfast in strengthening connectivity for the North-Eastern part of India, she said.
Also read: Don’t let Covid to spike with unguarded Eid celebrations: PM Hasina
“Given our geographical advantage as a connectivity hub between South and South East Asia, we remain supportive of India’s ‘Act East Policy’.”
Expressing the topmost concern on tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, she reiterated that Bangladesh looks towards collective action across borders for countering the menace.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Assam and India as a whole, for saving lives and restoring livelihoods.”
Don’t let Covid to spike with unguarded Eid celebrations: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged the people of the country to remain careful so that the celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr do not invite Coronavirus cases to spike.“My request to people, please don’t go to your kith and kin out of emotion (to celebrate Eid), as many don't even have any symptoms (of infections). You never know one beside you is carrying coronavirus. By this (getting close), you’re also falling at the risk of getting infected in addition to putting your close relatives and neighbours at risk,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this while addressing the nation on the eve of Holy Eid-ul-Fitr.
State-run Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television simultaneously broadcast the Prime Minister’s address. Private television channels and radio stations also aired the 16-minute speech.
Sheikh Hasina urged all to keep in mind that the lives of people come first. “If [we] survive all will celebrate Eid next year in a befitting manner.”
Like the previous year, she said, the government has imposed a ban on holding Eid Jamaats at Eidgahs and requested all to perform Eid Jamaat at mosques, maintaining social distancing and health guidelines.
She asked all to enjoy the holy Eid-ul-Fitr staying at the places where they are and requested the affluent section of society to stand beside their poor neighbours and villagers.
“Extend your supporting hands to them. Your assistance might help bring a smile to the face of a family… it’s the biggest responsibility to stand beside people as human beings. We must not forget that responsibility,” she said.
Also read: PM to address nation Thursday evening
Talking about the Covid-19 vaccination programme, the Prime Minister said the government has started the inoculation drive with the most effective and scrutinised AstraZeneca.
“You know that Indian authorities have imposed a temporary ban on vaccine export. As a result, there have been some problems in the supply system,” she said.
The Prime Minister said the government has taken a move to collect vaccines from alternative sources and talks underway with the vaccine producers of Russian and China, while vaccine doses from China arrived as a gift.
She said the government has requested the USA for providing vaccine shots, and Bangladesh will get an adequate amount of vaccine doses from Covax.
“We’ve taken steps to procure one crore vaccine doses from different sources and those will start reaching the country very soon,” she said.
Besides, Hasina mentioned, the government has taken initiatives to produce more vaccines and it will take a few months. “We’ll bring all the citizens of the country under the vaccination drive, Inshallah.”
The Prime Minister said Covid-19 has badly affected the country’s health system and economy.
When the virus infection rate started showing a downtrend at the end of the last year, the people of the country along with others elsewhere across the globe had bene hopeful that the world would get rid of this deadly virus, she said, adding: “But the second wave has destroyed all our planning and aspirations from mid-March.”
As this virus spreads through human beings, it will not be possible to control it without avoiding crowds, the Prime Minister said.That is why, she said, the government was forced to impose a ban on people’s normal movement despite knowing it will cause suffering to them.
Also read: PM denounces attacks at Al Aqsa mosque compound
“Shops, shopping malls and business houses are open, maintaining health guidelines. For the same reason, restrictions have been imposed on the operation of public transport services,” she said.
Hasina said the Eid-ul-Fitr has to be observed this time under an uncomfortable situation again. “We’ll celebrate Eid, but will also maintain the health guidelines.”
The Prime Minister highly appreciated doctors, nurses and health workers for their services to Covid-19 patients knowing their personal risks.
She also lauded the members of the law-enforcement agencies, armed forces and administration for playing important active roles in enforcing the lockdown and distributing relief materials.
The Prime Minister thanked and greeted journalists for presenting and publishing news defying the risk of infections.
The Prime Minister briefly described various initiatives of the government to provide treatment for the coronavirus-infected people apart from taking all-out measures to resist coronavirus infections.
She laid emphasis on using masks, washing hands regularly with soap or sanitising hands to keep one free from coronavirus infection.
Hasina said the deadly coronavirus is not only taking lives but it is also destroying the world economy.
To avoid infections, she said, the government has enforced a lockdown from April 5, causing a blow to the livelihoods of people. “But there was no option other than taking this tough measure,” she said.
Hasina said that all must keep in mind that the health infrastructure of every country has its own limited capability.
If the number of patients increases suddenly, it becomes impossible to provide medical services, she said adding, “You saw even the developed countries are facing trouble to provide services to the patient, for that the number of patients must not be allowed to increase.”
The Prime Minister said the government is trying to strike a balance between lives and livelihoods.
She mentioned various government stimulus packages and assistance programmes, including cash support of the government to various sections of people during the pandemic.
“When we were about to make a turnaround in our economic condition, the second wave struck us in March. As a result, there might be some sort of slowdown in our desired growth,” she apprehended.
Also read: PM provides Tk 74.81 cr for non-MPO teachers, employees
But, she mentioned, Bangladesh will be able to attain its desired growth as per projections by local and international organisations.
But, she said, Bangladesh’s foreign currency reserve exceeded USD 45 billion in addition to a bumper Boro production in the country.
PM to address nation Thursday evening
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address the nation on Thursday evening ahead of Eid-ul- Fitr.
"The Prime Minister will address the nation at 7:15 pm on the occasion of Holy Eid-ul Fitr," PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said.
Also read: Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday as Shawwal moon not sighted
State-owned Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television will simultaneously broadcast the Prime Minister’s address.
Also read: Celebrate Eid where you are: PM Hasina
Private television channels and radio stations will also air the speech.
PM denounces attacks at Al Aqsa mosque compound
Denouncing the recent attacks of terrorist nature and violence unleashed by Israeli occupation forces, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the international community to take sustainable measures to end such acts anywhere and everywhere in the world, including Palestine.
“I, on behalf of the people and the government of Bangladesh, express my deep sadness and concern about the recent attacks of terrorist nature and violence unleashed on the innocent devotees and civilians at the Al Aqsa mosque compound,” she said in a letter sent to Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday.
Also read: Israel, Hamas escalate heavy fighting with no end in sight
She said the evictions of Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood and transfer of civilian population into occupied territories by the Israeli occupation forces exposed the severe violation of human rights, international laws, and accords which have immensely triggered civic feelings across the world.
“While expressing our deep condolences to the victims and sympathies to our Palestinian brothers, we unequivocally denounce such acts of terror and violence and urge the international community to take sustainable measurers to end such kinds of acts anywhere and everywhere in the world including Palestine.”
Also read: Israeli police, Palestinians clash at Jerusalem holy site
Sheikh Hasina also reiterated Bangladesh’s unflinching commitment to realising the inalienable rights of the brotherly people of Palestine for an independent homeland and a sovereign and viable State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
“May Almighty Allah give the government and the brotherly people of Palestine to strength to achieve the goal,” she added.
Also read: Gaza militants, children among 24 dead as Israel hits Hamas
PM provides Tk 74.81 cr for non-MPO teachers, employees
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday provided Tk 74.81 crore for 1,67,225 non-MPO teachers and employees of the country as they have been passing days in miseries to the pandemic that led to the closure of educational institutions for a long time.
According to a media release issued by the PMO Press Wing, there are 105,785 teachers and employees in general education while the number is 61,440 in madrasah and Ebtadayee Madrasah and vocational education.
Sheikh Hasina provided Tk 46.63 crore in favour of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Division while Tk 28.18 crore in favour of Vocational and Madrasah Education Division.
Also read: PM provides Tk 122 cr assistance for mosques
The release said that each teacher will get Tk 5,000 while the employees will get Tk 2,500 each.
On May 2, the Prime Minister provided cash support of Tk 2,500 to each 36.5 lakh low-income families engaged in different occupations so that they can survive in this tough time.
Each family directly received Tk 2,500 through G2P (Government-to-Person) as the cash will be sent through mobile financial services (MFS) – Nagad, bKash, Rocket and SureCash.
Also read: PM provides financial assistance to 6,959 Qawmi madrasas
More than Tk 1,500 crore has already been allocated to ease the sufferings of the marginalised people during the second wave of coronavirus.
Soon after the second wave of coronavirus came in sight, the Prime Minister instantly directed the authorities concerned to start the activities of humanitarian assistance.
Since the Covid-19 lockdown was enforced from April 14 last, marginalised people like temporary workless people, destitute, day-labourers, rickshaw- and van-pullers, transport workers, the third gender and beggars in urban and rural areas.
Also read: PM provides financial assistance to 8 organisations
As per the PM’s directive, the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry instantly sent Tk 590 crore to the field-level administration to provide support to the needy people and the disbursement of the money continues.
Besides, the Prime Minister allocated Tk 10.5 crore against deputy commissioners from her relief and welfare fund to provide emergency assistance to the poor and destitute.
The Prime Minister has also provided Tk 10 crore to the Journalist Welfare Trust as assistance for the journalists who are facing hardship due to the fallout of the pandemic.
Eid-ul-Fitr: BNP greets PM Hasina
BNP top leaders on Tuesday sent Eid greeting cards to Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir sent two separate eid cards to the Prime Minister.
They also greeted Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader sending cards.
A BNP delegation, led by its assistant organising secretary Abdus Salam Azad, handed over the cards to Awami League leader Ali Hossain at the party president’s Dhanmondi office around 11:30am
Besides, the party sent eid cards to Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh President Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain, LPD president Oli Ahmed, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, JSD president ASM Abdur Rob, Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader, CPB president Mujahidul Islam Selim, Krishak Sramik Janata League President Abdul Kader Siddique, Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna and some other top leaders and different political parties.
Will work together to overcome Covid crisis: Hasina to Mamata
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulated Trinamool Congress Chief Mamata Banerjee after she was sworn in as the Chief Minister of West Bengal for the third straight term.
“The huge victory of Trinamool Congress in the assembly election of 2021 is a reflection of deep-rooted trust of West Bengal people in you,” she said in a message sent to Mamata on Wednesday.
Sheikh Hasina, in her message, wished overall development and continued progress of the West Bengal people under the able leadership of Mamata Banerjee.
Also read: FM Momen greets Mamata; hopeful of resolving outstanding issues
She expected that the relations between Bangladesh and West Bengal will deepen further in the days to come in order to build a prosperous future for the people of two Bengals.
“At this critical time of the global Coronavirus pandemic, we’re committed to working together on the basis of friendly regional cooperation aiming to overcome the crisis,” said the Prime Minister.
She said India is a genuine friend of Bangladesh. “Particularly, our relations with the people of West Bengal are very close, hearty and everlasting.”
Also read: Mamata Banerjee sworn in as Bengal CM
Sheikh Hasina recalled with gratitude the contributions of the people and the political leaders of West Bengal to the War of Liberation of Bangladesh as well as the same cultural heritage and lifestyle of both Bengals on the auspicious moment when Mujib Year, the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence and the 50 years of India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations are being celebrated in 2021.
The Prime Minister wished Mamata good health, long life and continued success.