PMO
Won't allow anyone to take the country back to darkness: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said BNP and its allies want restoration of caretaker government system not for the election, but to push the country back to darkness again.
"No one will be able to push the country back to the era of darkness," she declared.
Hasina, president of the ruling Awami League, was addressing a discussion marking the 104th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at its Dhaka District unit office in Tejgaon.
She said that Bangladesh is the country of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib who was born to change the fate of the common people.
“And we will bring that change following his ideals,” she said.
The prime minister questioned the logic behind BNP's demand that the repealed caretaker government system is restored again to oversee national elections.
“Why do they want that? What's their expectation? In 2008 election there was a caretaker government. In that election they got only 30 seats while Awami League bagged 233 seats,” she recalled.
The prime minister said that BNP should remember that.
She said while Awami League remains in power the poor get food and shelter.
She said that In the country of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman no one will remain without a home, address, and land.
Tthe government is implementing programmes to reach this goal, said the PM.
“And that is the thing they can not tolerate. They do not like that the common and poor people live a good life,” she said pointing at BNP.
Hasina said that it is not possible for BNP and its allies to topple the government as the countrymen are in favour of her party.
"They are dreaming to oust Awami League from the government. How do they forget that Awami League always stays beside the people for which they cast vote for the party time and again," she said.
The prime minister said the BNP has been arranging Iftar parties during the month of Ramadan instead of distributing iftar items among the poor people.
“And they are criticising the government and wanting election under caretaker government,” she said.
In this connection, she said that Awami League and its associate bodies and its elected representatives have been distributing iftar food among the poor across the country without holding iftar parties.
"The countrymen are supporting the Awami League as they always find it beside them at time of their needs," she said.
Hasina questioned why BNP and its allies want to oust Awami League from the government.
“What crime have we committed? Is making the Bangladesh independent a crime? Are standing beside the people or working to transform Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country crimes??"
Sheikh Hasina said that BNP and its allies must point out the crime of AL for which it has to leave the power.
She said that people are always bedside the AL as they know very much they have got everything, including the country's independence and development during its regime.
PM Hasina came down heavily on BNP for raising question of not having democracy in the country asking them with what democratic process the party was formed.
"The party was formed by a person (Ziaur Rahman) who grabbed state power illegally and no democratic process was followed," she said.
The prime minister said BNP does not understand the language of democracy and its meaning at all.
She reiterated her vow to transform Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and smart "Sonar Bangladesh" free from hunger and poverty by 2041 as envisioned by the father of the nation.
"We are taking oath on Bangabandhu's birthday to build Bangladesh as a developed prosperous, and smart Sonar Bangladesh by 2041," she said.
The Prime Minister asked her party leaders and activists to study the Osamapto Atmojiboni (The Unfinished Memoirs), Karagarer Rojnamcha (Prison Diary) and Amar Dekha Noyachin (The New China as I Saw) written by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the books based on the reports of Pakistani intelligence agencies to understand how much struggle had to be done by Bangabandhu for the country's liberation alongside his ideal and patrotisim.
She also asked her party members to watch biopic movie "Mujib: The Making of a Nation."
"If you want to be a politician and to be inspired with patrotism, you have to study the books (written by Bangabandhu) and Pakistani intelligence reports on Bangabandhu," she said.
AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Presidium Members, Deputy Leader of the House Begum Matia Chowdhury, Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Advocate Qamrul Islam, Dr Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin, and Joint General Secretaries, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and Social Welfare Minister Dipu Moni, central executive member Prof. Merina Jahan Kabita, took part in the discussion.
Ekhushey Padak winner Rupa Chakraborti recited some lines from the "Karagarer Rojnamcha" (Prison Diary) written by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman about celebration of his 47th birth anniversary and the poem "Amar Parichoy" written by poet Syed Shamsul Haque.
Dhaka South and North City AL presidents Abu Ahmed Mannfi and Sheikh Bazlur Rahman, among also spoke at the meeting.
AL Publicity and Publication Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap and his deputy Syed Abdul Awal Shamim conducted the discussion.
PM pays tribute to Father of the Nation on his birth anniversary
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday paid tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking his 104th birth anniversary and National Children's Day.
She placed a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhaka’s Dhanmondi-32 this morning.
After placing the wreath, the premier stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the founding father of the country.
A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force gave a guard of honour on the occasion.
A munajat was also offered, seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of the martyrs of the August 15 carnage.
Later, Sheikh Hasina, Awami League (AL) President, flanked by the party’s senior leaders, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party.
The Prime Minister’s younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present at the time.
The Prime Minister will go to Tungipara by helicopter to pay homage to Bangabandhu and offer prayers at the mausoleum of the Father of the Nation there.
She will also attend a programme on National Children's Day.
On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu, the architect of independent Bangladesh and the greatest Bengali of all times, was born at Tungipara in Gopalganj.
He was assassinated along with most members of his family on August 15, 1975.
Diversify jute goods as per market demand: PM Hasina says at jute fair
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday stressed the need for diversifying jute products according to the demand of the international market to unlock a huge export potential.
“We’ve to pay attention to exploring new export markets for jutes, assess what type of goods has demand in different countries, and produce such products accordingly,” she said.
The premier said this while opening six jute mills and the three-day multipurpose jute product fair-2024 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city on the occasion of the National Jute Day-2024.
The National Jute Day is observed on March 06 every year. This year, the day was celebrated with the theme of ‘Bangabandhur Sonar Desh, Smart Pat Shilper Bangladesh’ (Bangabandhu’s golden country to be Bangladesh with smart jute industries).
Stand by common people during Ramadan instead of hosting Iftar parties: PM Hasina
The PM said if Bangladesh can raise the production of jute and jute goods as much as possible, it will open the door of unlocking a huge export potential alongside enhancing the use of jute goods in the country.
Noting that jute is the golden fibre, she said these golden fibres may bring the golden days for Bangladesh. “So, we’ve to utilise it properly,” she added.
“If we want to diversify our export basket, I think jute and jute goods can play one of the key roles here,” said Hasina.
She urged the authorities of jute mills leased out by Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) to be sincere to produce new goods, explore new markets, and boost export of jute products.
Describing jute as environment-friendly goods, she said there is a huge potential market of jute products in the world.
The prime minister said unfortunately, jute neither enjoys the facilities as an agro-product nor as an export-oriented good.
“But we’ve taken a decision that we’ll ensure incentives for jute as agro-product and export goods,” she said.
The prime minister said the demand for jute goods would never go. “This golden fibre can keep an immense contribution to our economy,” she said.
In the wake of climate change, an enormous scope has been created for jute products as these are environment-friendly, she said.
The prime minister informed that the saree she was wearing at the function is made of jute fibre. “The golden days of jute-made sarees have returned,” she said.
After the speech she visited different stalls at the fair.
PM Hasina chairs Bangabandhu Memorial Trust meeting
At the function, the prime minister handed over honorary crests to 11 individuals and organisations under 11 categories as well as nine jute related associations for their contributions to the jute sector.
Textiles and Jute Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak chaired the event, while Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Textiles and Jute Ministry Golam Dastagir Gazi and President of Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA) Abul Hossain spoke on the occasion.
Textiles and Jute Secretary Abdur Rauf delivered the introductory speech.
The newly opened six jute mills, which were leased out by BJMC but now are run under private ventures are KFD Jute Mills Ltd at Rangunia in Chattogram, Bangladesh Jute Mills at Ghorashal in Narsingdi, Jatiya Jute Mills Ltd at Raipur in Sirajganj, Jashore Jute Industries Ltd and Carpeting Jute Mills Ltd at Rajghat in Jashore and Daulatpur Jute Mills Ltd at Shahor Khalishpur in Khulna.
Stand by common people during Ramadan instead of hosting Iftar parties: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called for standing beside the common people as much as possible during Ramadan.
She made this appeal, while chairing the Cabinet meeting held at her office in the city.
Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain briefed reporters after the meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat.
“Today the Prime Minister has made an appeal. She earlier gave a decision not to arrange iftar parties. (Today) She said those who are eager or have resouces should stand by the people as per their capacity. If needed, they should stand by the common people with the money they are eager to spend for the Iftar parties,” said Mahbub.
Besides, the premier issued two specific directives for the authorities concerned --- one is to develop agriculture-based cooperatives and the second one is to construct modern preservation storages in the country's eight divisions to preserve agro-goods, he said.
She directed the Agriculture Ministry and the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division to develop agriculture-based cooperatives in line with the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The construction of modern preservation storages will help control unusual price-hikes of some goods and maintain the normal supply of the products in the market during the off-season.
The PM said the modern preservation storages should have separate chambers for different agricultural goods, according to the cabinet secretary.
Coast Guard to be transformed into three dimensional force: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the government will transform the Bangladesh Coast Guard into a three-dimensional force by inducting new technology and modern equipment.
“We have already given in-principle approval for the formation of an Aviation Wing with the purchase of 2 helicopters which will make the Coast Guard a three-dimensional force,” she said.
The prime minister said this while addressing the 29th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Coast Guard at the BCG headquarters at Agargaon in the city.
She said that the government has recently approved a new project to build 9 replacement ships for Bangladesh Coast Guard.
Besides, she said, approval has been given for the procurement of 4 more OPVs, 2 maritime version helicopters for deep sea patrolling by the Coast Guard for the safety of the public engaged in sea-based professions and waterways.
“In order to modernize and strengthen the Bangladesh Coast Guard, advanced technology ships, maritime surveillance systems, hovercrafts and high-speed boats are going to be added to this force very soon,” she said.
The prime minister expressed her optimism that through the addition of all these ships with modern technology and the development of communication systems, this force will acquire more capabilities to face the challenges of the 21st century and will play a significant role in building a smart Bangladesh.
In addition, she said, plans have been adopted to increase the current strength to 15,000 manpower gradually as per the Vision 2030 and Vision 2041 to modernise the force to provide blue economy and security at sea.
“To build the smart Bangladesh I believe that this force will play special role,” she said.
Hasina said a dockyard is also being built at Gazaria in Munshiganj for the construction, repair and maintenance of the force’s vessels and ships.
She mentioned that some 16 vessels including four OPVs (Offshore Patrol Vessels) and 138 boats have been inducted in the BCG fleet.
Stating that the Awami League government has always been directly involved in the formation and development of Bangladesh Coast Guard, she said it had emerged as a force in context of a bill brought by AL in the Jatiya Sangsad in 1994 as the then opposition party.
Assuming power in 1996, she said, the AL government took a massive initiative in expanding the Coast Guard’s activities in the country’s coastal areas by providing land for its various zones, different types of vessels and building infrastructure.
Following this, she added, since 2009, various infrastructures including coastal crisis management centre, accommodation of officers and sailors of bases, officers’ mess, sailors’ quarters and administrative buildings have been constructed at Coast Guard stations and outposts in coastal and remote areas of the country.
Recalling the initiative of Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Hasina said Bangabandhu framed “The Territorial Waters and Maritime Zone Act” in 1974 to establish the legal rights of countrymen over the sea and marine resources.
She said that even the United Nations (UN) formulated such a law in 1982.
She said until adoption of the law by the UN, the cases, not only in the region but also in Europe and other places across the globe, would have been settled following the law enacted by Bangabandhu.
The prime minister said her government has established country’s rights on a vast maritime area after winning legal battles with neighbouring India and Myanmar maintaining friendly relations.
She also reiterated her vow to transform Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041.
Hasina also inaugurated Bangladesh Coast Guard Vsatnet Communication System and newly constructed six physical infrastructures at the BCG stations at Kutubdia, Maheshkhali, Mirsarai, Sandwip, Nidraskina and Shahpari Outpost.
The PM also conferred 10 Bangladesh Coast Guard Medals, 10 Bangladesh Coast Guard (Service) Medals, 10 President Coast Guard Medals and 10 President Coast Guard (Service) Medals to at least 40 BCG officers, sailors and civilians for their bravery.
The theme of this year's founding anniversary has been set as Smart Bangladesh, Smart Coast Guard.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Public Security Division Secretary of the Home Ministry Md Mustafizur Rahman and BCG Director General Rear Admiral Mir Ershad Ali were present at the function.
At the outset of the programme, a smartly turned out contingent of the Bangladesh Coast Guard also gave a state-salute to the prime minister.
A short video documentary on Coast Guard Vsatnet System was screened.
Later, the prime minister enjoyed a cultural programme there.
SB officials involved in publishing intelligence branch reports on Bangabandhu meet PM
Special Brach(SB) officials who were involved in publishing ‘The Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Father of The Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’, called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban on Saturday.
“The Prime Minister met them to recognise their tireless efforts and merits in this publication,” PM’s Assistant Press Secretary A.B.M Sarwer-E-Alom Sarker said.
Some 22 SB men were involved in this work while 20 of them were present, A.B.M Sarwer-E-Alom said.
PM Hasina chairs Bangabandhu Memorial Trust meeting
Additional Inspector General of Police Mahbub Hossain led the team where the coordinator and curator of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum Md Nazrul Islam Khan were present.
The secret documents are the collection of the Intelligence Branch Reports on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangladesh during the Pakistani period.
The process to publish these books started more than 10 years ago and it ended in 2024.
Hakkani Publishers published all the volumes of this publication.
PM hands over best Joyeeta Award to 5 women
PM Hasina chairs Bangabandhu Memorial Trust meeting
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday chaired a regular meeting of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust.
The meeting was held at her official residence Ganabhaban.
During the meeting, the prime minister, also chairperson of the trust, directed the authorities concerned to expedite the activities of the ongoing projects to complete those quickly.
Work equally with men to build Bangladesh: PM Hasina tells women
The board of trustees' management committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting and discussed matters regarding the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum.
The meeting also discussed the report of the sub-committee and other important issues.
Members of the trustee including Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury, Sheikh Helal Uddin, Farida Sheikh, Radwan Mujib Siddiq were present at the meeting.
Work equally with men to build Bangladesh: PM Hasina tells women
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday asked the women to build the country, contributing to the society equally alongside their male counterparts.
“Today if we have to progress economically, and men and women can build a country equally with their work,” she said.
PM hands over best Joyeeta Award to 5 women
The premier was addressing a discussion and Joyeeta Award-giving ceremony arranged in the city to mark the International Women's Day-2024.
The Women and Children Affairs Ministry organised the programme at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
The PM said if the women, who account for half of the society, don't come foward and work in a society, then that society can never develop and it (the society) cannot be a pioneer.
“We can move forward only if women and men work together. Today, we are moving forward because we have ensured (women’s participation) this,” she said.
Hasina said it is her optimism on this International Women's Day that the women of Bangladesh would never be left behind.
Noting that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ensured that the constitutional rights of women are given, Hasina said her party -Bangladesh Awami League is the only political party in the country which mentioned the equal rights of men and women in its charter and election manifesto.
“Not just in words, but Awami League has shown it when it came to power,” she added.
She said her government has created opportunities. “So, the womenfolk should also come forward. Women do most of the work,” she continued.
Citing a statistic which shows participation of women is 43 percent in terms of labour, she said that they ( working women) do extra work even after returning home from office which is not being calculated.
Referring to her government's vision 2041, the premier said, “We have built digital Bangladesh, and now our goal is to build Smart Bangladesh by making a Smart Population, Smart Economy, Smart Society by 2041”.
“If women are more involved in this journey of building a smart Bangladesh, then we can reach our desired goal faster,” she said.
In the function, the prime minister conferred “Best Joyeeta Award-2023” at the national level to five women as recognition of their outstanding successes in different fields by overcoming difficulties and challenges.
The best awardees are- Anar Koli (economic) from Mymensingh, Kalyani Minji (education and employment) from Rajshahi, Komoli Robi Dash (successful mother) from Moulvibazar, Jahanara Begum (repression prevention) from Barguna and Pakhi Dutta Hijra (social development) from Khulna.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Simeen Hussain (Rimi) chaired the event, while Women and Children Affairs Secretary Nazma Mobarek delivered the welcome speech.
Kallyani Minji on behalf of the Joyeeta Awardees shared her feelings upon receiving the award.
"Joyeeta" (victorious), a woman who reaches the peak of success by conquering all hurdles, means it is the symbolic name of a struggling and indomitable woman.
Every year the government confers the Joyeeta award in five categories-- the women who achieved success economically, the women who earned success in education and job, the successful mothers, the women who turned around by wiping out the dark days of torture and the women who contributed to social development.
PM hands over best Joyeeta Award to 5 women
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday conferred “Best Joyeeta Award-2023” at the national level to five women as recognition of their outstanding achievements in different fields by overcoming difficulties and challenges.
She handed over the award at a function organised to mark the International Women's Day-2024 in the city’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
Anti-liberation forces failed to erase Bangabandhu's iconic March 7 speech: PM Hasina
The best awardees are- Anar Koli (economics) from Mymensingh, Kalyani Minji (education and employment) from Rajshahi, Komoli Robi Dash (successful mother) from Moulvibazar, Jahanara Begum (repression prevention) from Barguna and Pakhi Dutta Hijra (social development) from Khulna.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Simeen Hussain (Rimi) chaired the event, while Women and Children Affairs Secretary Nazma Mobarek delivered the welcome speech.
PM Hasina pays tribute to Bangabandhu on historic March 7 anniversary
Kallyani Minji on behalf of the Joyeeta awardees shared her feelings upon receiving the honour.
"Joyeeta" (victorious), a woman who reaches the peak of success by conquering all hurdles, means it is the symbolic name of a struggling and indomitable woman.
Every year the government confers the award to Joyeetas in five categories-- the women who achieved success economically, the women who earned success in education and job, the successful mothers, the women who turned around by wiping out the dark days of torture and the women who contributed to social development.
Teach children the history of nation's independence: PM Hasina
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked everyone to teach the young generation about the historical dates of the country and its journey towards independence.
“Our youth folks must know about these dates”she said while addressing a discussion marking the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971.
Awami League organised the programme at its Dhaka District unit office in Tejgaon.
Hasina said that February 21 is the Language Martyrs Day and International Mother Language day, March 17 is the birth day of the Father of the Nation, March 26 is the Independence Day and December 16 is our victory day.
“We have to take lessons from the history, otherwise it would not be possible to advance forward,” she said.
Hasina, also the ruling Awami League chief, reminded all that being in power is not just enjoying the facilities.
"The history of the struggle and sacrifices made to reach this place have to be known. Through this process everyone will acquire actual knowledge about the history of the country,” she said.
She requested everyone to ensure that people must not forget the history of the country because history teaches how to move forward and be successful.
The Prime Minister said thr March 7 speech encouraged each and every freedom fighter and the people of the country during the nine months of Liberation War.
“The Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave a total outline of the liberation war by the March 7 speech. That speech helped us attain our independence,” she said.
She put emphasis on materialising the dream of Bangabandhu that he outlined through his iconic speech.
“He (the father of the nation) was not allowed to fulfil his work as he was brutally killed on August 15, 1975 and foul play was done with the fate of the people of this country,” she said.
She also mentioned that no one could play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of this country any more.
“Those who do not believe in Joy Bangla, do not accept March 7 speech that means they did not want the independent Bangladesh,” she said without mentioning any names
Hasina said that this section of people do not want the development of Bangladesh.
“They do not want the socioeconomic advancement of Bangladesh. Why people will cast their votes for them?,” she said.
She mentioned that in 2008 election BNP and its allies got 30 seats only and after that they started to play games by boycotting the election or efforts to foil it.
Senior Awami League leaders also spoke at the programme.
Sheikh Hasina urged the people to remain alert as the BNP-Jamaat clique is out to destroy the country by creating anarchic situation through arson terrorism and militancy.
"They (BNP-Jamaat) are out to destroy the country and increase sufferings of the people through arson terrorism and militancy after boycotting the election," she said.
The Prime Minister reiterated her vow to transform Bangladesh into a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041.
"InshaAllah, we will build Bangladesh as a developed, prosperous and smart Sonar Bangladesh by 2041. This is our commitment of this day," she said.
In this connection, she urged all to take preparation as they can build that Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister earlier unwrapped a book titled "Bangabandhu Theke Deshrotna: Onupreronar Mohakabyo" written by AL Office Secretary and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Barrister Biplab Barua.
Ekhushey Padak Winning Poet Shimul Mustapha recited a poem "Swadhinota Shabdoti Kibhabe Amader Holo" written by Poet Nirmalendu Goon.