Desk Report
Published: 24 Nov 2021, 06:32 pm
President M Abdul Hamid || Photo: Collected
President
M Abdul Hamid today called for forging unity among the people, irrespective of
religion, caste and creed, to implement Bangabandhu's pledge to build 'Sonar
Bangla' and eliminate communalism and violence.
"All
would have to forge unity, irrespective of religion, caste and creed to
implement Bangabandhu's pledge to build ‘Sonar Bangla’ (Golden Bengal),"
he said in a special address in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) marking the Golden
Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence,.
In
his speech in the 15th session of the 11th JS, the President called upon the
political leaders, civil society and other stakeholders, irrespective of party
affiliation, to work together to establish good governance in the country.
The
head of the state also urged the people to pay the blood-debt of millions of
martyrs by accelerating the national democratic journey and country's
socio-economic development, sinking the differences of opinions.
President
Hamid also called upon all political parties to build the culture of tolerance
and mutual respect.
Referring
to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, he said, "Bangladesh needs to
continue the ongoing development trend by utilizing the Fourth Industrial
Revolution to meet the challenge of transition as a developing country."
At
the same time, Hamid said, “We need to ensure nutrition and food security,
massive industrialization, economic integration, development of infrastructure
and a merit-based society to tackle climate change effects.”
For
this, everyone must work relentlessly, he added.
Jatiya
Sangsad Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury presided over the special session
where Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present.
Referring
to the various development activities of the incumbent government, the
President said Bangladesh is a role model of development in the world and all
have to work unitedly to continue this trend of progress.
He
said the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working relentlessly
to build a 'developed and prosperous Bangladesh' envisioned by Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
President
Hamid said the government is implementing 'Vision-2041' after the successful
implementation of ‘Vision 2021’. The
'Eighth Five Year Plan 2021-2025' has been adopted after the successful
completion of the Seventh Five Year Plan.
The
President said the long-term Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 has been formulated
considering the issues of water resources management, climate change effects
and environmental evolution in the country.
The
government is also working relentlessly to end extreme poverty and turn
Bangladesh into an upper-middle income country by 2031 and to upgrade as a
higher-income country by 2041 along with the eradication of poverty, Hamid
mentioned.
He,
in his brief address, also highlighted the various development activities of
the government and said, “As a nation, we are now going through a historic
moment.”
The
President said Bangladesh has tremendously developed in many sectors, including
communication, IT, heath electricity and infrastructure.
The
construction of the long-cherished Padma Multipurpose Bridge with own funds is
now nearing completion, he said, adding the construction of the second phase of
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Multilane Tunnel under the Karnafuli River in
Chittagong has been completed.
Besides,
he said, Bangladesh has successfully launched Bangabandhu Satellite in space as
the 57th country of the world.
Noting
that the work on the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant was progressing at a rapid
pace, he said the rail communication system is being expanded across the
country and as a gift of the Victory Day in December 2022, the people of the
country will be able to travel on the first metro rail.
The
President said that Bangladesh was recently awarded the 'SDG Progress Award' in
recognition of the unique progress made in various SDG indexes from 2015 to
2020 in continuation of the success of MDG.
"It
is a great achievement for Bangladesh in the international arena. This honor
belongs to Bangladesh . . . this honor belongs to the entire Bangali nation as
well," he noted.
Referring
to the Covid-19 pandemic, he said the fatal disease has temporarily hampered
development and progress, but has not stopped it ultimately.
Praising
the timely and far-sighted steps taken by the government, the President said,
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been lauded by world leaders and various
international organizations, including the United Nations, for her unique role
in tackling the Corona crisis through her extraordinary coordination in maintaining
people's livelihoods."
Referring
to the government's "Zero Tolerance Policy" against drugs, militancy,
terrorism and extremism and communalism, the President said the country is now
enjoying relief due to the pragmatic steps and it is also being acclaimed
worldwide.
He
told the parliament that Bangladesh's strong role in environment protection,
pollution control and tackling the challenges of climate change effects is also
recognized in the international arena today.
Commenting
on the Prime Minister's recent recognition as a matter of great pride for
Bangladesh, President Hamid said, the world leaders highly appreciated the
initiatives proposed by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to this context.
"I
sincerely congratulate and thank the hon'ble Prime Minister for this
effort," he added.
The
President said Digital Bangladesh, the modern form of Sonar Bangla of the
father of the nation, is not a dream but a reality.
He
said the implementation of Digital Bangladesh has set an exemplary example not
only in the country but also in the world under the visionary leadership of
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and at the advice and supervision of Sajeeb Ahmed
Wazed, PM's ICT Advisor.
At the very outset of his address, the President paid rich tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the great architect of independent Bangladesh, all heroic freedom fighters and immortal martyrs, who made their supreme sacrifice to give birth to Bangladesh in the world map.