Desk Report
Publish: 02 Dec 2021, 03:24 pm
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina || Photo: Collected
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
today hoped that the Armed Forces personnel would continue to work as
"frontline soldiers" in implementing the Perspective Plan-2041.
"I would like to say to the
members of our Armed Forces that, you, being imbued with patriotism, will
continue to work as 'frontline soldiers' in implementing the Perspective
Plan-2041, and I hope this," she said.
The premier said this while addressing the Graduation Ceremony of National Defence Course (NDC) and Armed Forces War Course (AFWC)-2021 at Sheikh Hasina Complex of DSCSC in Mirpur Cantonment here, joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban, reports BSS.
"In 2071, the country will
celebrate the centenary of our independence (and we have to) move ahead keeping
it in mind," she said.
The premier said Bangladesh will
never go back (rather) it will move forward to be a hunger-and-poverty-free developed
and prosperous 'Sonar Bangla' as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Sheikh Hasina said the members of
the armed forces are always ready for supreme sacrifice in any crisis alongside
protecting the country's sovereignty.
She said they participated in
different activities as frontline fighters in facing the Covid-19 pandemic and
earned acclamation for their works.
Armed forces personnel have been
working sincerely in the infrastructural and socio-economic development of the
country along with facing natural disasters aptly, she added.
A total of 88 trainees, including
27 foreign military members, participated in the NDC-2021, while a total of 55
trainees in the AFWC-2021.
So far, 383 members of the Armed
Forces from 24 friendly countries have received higher education and training
at the NDC.
The prime minister also remotely
distributed certificates among the graduates.
Chiefs of the three services and
the NDC commandant and its faculties were present at the event.
The prime minister said members
of armed forces have brightened the image of Bangladesh abroad by extending
expertise and maintaining dedication in Peace Building and Peace Enforcement,
including meeting the challenges of UN Peacekeeping Missions.
She said Bangladesh has once
again been able to retain its glorious position as the highest peacekeeper
sending country.
In this connection, Sheikh Hasina
said her government's endeavour is to provide time befitting training and
modern equipment to the members of armed forces so they can run their
activities in keeping pace with the developed world.
She said they have added the
modern infantry gazette, state-of-the-art weapons, aircraft and helicopters,
various modern engineering equipment, sky-destroying automatic SHORAD, VSHORAD,
state-of-the-art Oerlikon air Defence systems, etc to the armed forces.
She continued the Navy has state-of-the-art
corvettes, frigates, submarines, and maritime helicopters and formed the SWADS
as a specialized force. "In addition, we are building new naval and
submarine bases," she said.
She went on saying that
state-of-the-art fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, high-powered
air Defence radar, and surface-to-air missiles are also included in the Air Force.
The premier said her government
has established Aviation and Aerospace University and built the Forward Aviation
Base and the Air Defence Notification Center.
"In addition, we have
transformed CMHs across the country into state-of- the-art hospitals alongside
five medical colleges," she said.
The prime minister mentioned that
they have been implementing short, medium, and long-term plans to form a trained
and up-to-date military force after winning three consecutive elections since
2008.
She said there has been a far
progress in modernizing, expanding, and developing the Armed Forces through the implementation of the "Forces Goal, 2030.
Sheikh Hasina added: "We
have formulated the 'National Defence Policy, 2018' updating the Defence policy
prepared by the Father of the Nation."
She also briefly highlighted the
initiatives taken by Bangabandhu for the development of the armed forces such
as the establishment of the Bangladesh Military Academy in Comilla Cantonment in
1972, procurement of warships for the Navy from India and Yugoslavia, state-of-the-art
supersonic MIG-21 fighter jets, helicopters and transport aircraft, and air
Defence radar for the Air Force alongside formulating Defence Policy in 1974.
The prime minister said her
government's goal in establishing the National Defence College (NDC) was to
build an apex training centre for high-level military and civilian officers at
home and abroad.
"Today, I can say with
satisfaction that NDC has been able to reach its goal," she said.
She also stated that the
high-ranking military and civilian officers from home and abroad are showing
their highest professionalism and efficiency in their respective fields by
taking training from this institution.
She noted, "Along with
projecting Bangladesh in the world, it (NDC) is taking relations with the armed
forces of friendly countries to new heights."
The head of the government said
the graduates have learned about social, political, cultural, economic, and
international relations at NDC, including national security challenges and
future strategies, which will undoubtedly help them gain leadership in the
workplace.
"In these two courses, I hope that the intensive interaction between our military and civilian officers and their counterparts from our friendly countries and their attachment with our nature and the people will remain intact in the future," she opined.
Referring to the United Nations' unanimous approval of the
proposal to graduate Bangladesh from a Least Developed to a Developing country,
she said at present, the size of the economy of Bangladesh is US$ 411 billion
while the poverty rate is below 20.5 percent and per capita income raised to
US$ 2,554.
"We could have cut down the poverty rate to 17-18
percent, but the Covid-19 pandemic has slowed it," she said.
About framing Delta Plan-2100, Sheikh Hasina said they have
adopted this plan so that generation to generation, not only in cities but also
at the grassroots level, would get an improved and smooth livelihood.
The prime minister also attended the 18th joint governing
body meeting of NDC and DSCSC.
PM's Security Affairs Adviser, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of
Naval Staff, PSO, Commandant of NDC, Senior Secretary of Finance Division, Senior
Secretary of Defence Ministry, Senior Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ministry, Senior
Secretary of Public Administration, Education Secretary and Vice-Chancellors of
Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh University of
Professionals and National University were present at the meeting.
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Topic : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
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