BartaBangla Report :: Prime Minister. Sheikh Hasina on Monday urged the children to adopt the philosophy and ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and say no to drugs, terrorism and militancy.
“Terrorism, militancy and drugs destroy ones life; you’ve to say no to drugs, terrorism and militancy,” she said while addressing a children’s gathering and cultural programme, marking Bangabandhu’s 94th birth anniversary, at the Bangabandhu Mazar Complex here.
The Prime Minister asked the children to concentrate on their studies, sports and cultural activities to groom themselves as worthy citizens of the country and take preparations to compete in the world arena.
Mentioning her resolve to give the children a better place for their future life, she said: “We want to develop the country in such a way where the children will get a secure life. We want to the nation to be kept away from drugs, terrorism and militancy. Our drive against these evils is going on and will continue.”
Hasina said she does not want to see any children die like her younger brother Sheikh Russell who had been killed on August 15, 1975. “Our aim is to provide a secured and beautiful life to all children and we are working hard towards that end.”
She said that her government is working to make Bangladesh as a peaceful country in the world.
“Bangladesh will be developed and prosperous. No children of the country will spend their days and nights without meal. No children will remain illiterate; each of the children will have education and grow up as the worthy citizen of the country.”.
The Prime Minister mentioned that after assuming office, her government took steps to provide free textbooks for all children across the country each year up to SSC level. “This year, we distributed 30 crore books on the very first day of the year defying hartal and blockade,” she said.
She also said that the government is going to introduce the pre-school system in the country widely and will prepare separate textbooks for those schools. “We’ve started the system in some areas and distributed books there.”
Hasina said that the government is giving scholarships to 78,70,129 students at the primary level and 40 lakh students at the secondary level.
She also said that the government is giving scholarships to 1,33,000 female students at the degree level and soon the male students will also get this scholarships.
She asked the students to study well to materialise the dream of Father of the Nation to make the country a developed one, saying “Bangabandhu sacrificed his life for the welfare of the country.”
Expressing her firm resolve to make the country a developed one based on education and technology, the Prime Minister said that the government has taken steps to spread technology across the country for making a ‘Digital Bangladesh’.
In this connection, she mentioned that the government has established union service centers, set up digital labs and expanded internet in the rural areas.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki and a little boy, Shariar Alam Mahin, delivered the welcome address at the function, chaired by a little girl, Lubaina Rubab.
The Prime Minister distributed prizes among the children who secured positions in literature and cultural competitions. Winners of different categories received a crest and a certificate each from the Prime Minister.
Later, Hasina enjoyed the cultural programme presented by the children of different local schools. She also inaugurated a book fair at the Mazar premises.