No one can dismiss BD as poor: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has categorically said Bangladesh will march ahead to emerge as a developed country by 2041 and no one will be able to undermine it as poor, reports UNB.
"We’ll live with our head held high, nobody can dismiss us as poor," she said, amidst thunderous applause by Awami League followers and non-resident Bangladeshis.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister was addressing a public reception at New York York`s Hilton Midtown Hotel on Sunday. Organised by the US chapter of Bangladesh Awami League, the reception was an opportunity for non-resident Bangladeshis, many of them supporters of Awami League, to see their Prime Minister up close.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is advancing towards prosperity without depending on others to stand before the world community as a dignified nation.
In this regard, she called upon the expatriate Bangladeshis to work more for brightening the image of the country abroad.
Once the Prime Minister entered the venue, the chants turned to cheers, launching a love-fest that left Hasina beaming throughout the evening.
The public reception was preceded by the screening of a film, documenting the 92-day violence spearheaded by the opposition BNP and its allies against the 2014 election results.
Using it as her point of reference, Hasina blamed BNP leader Khaleda Zia for deliberately hurting country. "What kind of politics is it when innocent people are torched and burned? Is this how you want to gain political power?" Hasina asked, pointing to the BNP.
Calling Khaleda a ‘Paki-lover’, the Prime Minister said Khaleda wanted to destroy Bangladesh, just the way Pakistan had wanted to destroy the country in 1971.
Hasina listed the many successes of her government detailing the progress made in different sectors, including education, health, food and energy sectors. "We’re already at the first phase of a middle-income country. By 2041, we’ll become a developed country," she asserted.
The Prime Minister also discussed her government`s success in the area of foreign policy and mentioned the land boundary agreement with India. “The treaty was endorsed by the Indian parliament unanimously and this is an unprecedented event.”
The Prime Minister said the success of Bangladesh has now been recognized by the world. "We can no longer be ignored," she said.
Referring to the ‘Sustainable Development Award’, she received from the International Telecommunications Union for her pioneering role in promoting digitization, the Prime Minister said it was an award for the entire Bangladesh.
She acknowledged with gratitude that the Expatriate Bangladeshis awakened during all struggles and movements including during the Great War of Liberation in 1971, and they have contributions to all achievements of the country.
Hasina recalled the support they provided alongside the people of Bangladesh during her homecoming in 2007. "I then dared to return home ignoring the risk of death."
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that her government has been able to implement and uphold achievements of country`s independence.
About the trial of war criminals, the Prime Minister said, "My government wants to free the country from this stigma by executing the trial verdicts of those who killed people, looted properties, set fire to houses in 1971."
Like implementation of the capital punishment of the killers of Bangabandhu, she said, the trial of the war criminals is being held as per the pledge she made during the election in 2008.
Held with Awami League US chapter president Siddiqur Rahman in the chair, the function was also addressed, among others, by US congresswomen Even De Clerk.
Clerk termed Sheikh Hasina as the International Giant in facing adverse impacts of climate change and for making a difference for the whole humanity.
AL leaders Dr Dipu Moni, Dr Hasan Mahmod, Misbauddin Siraj and Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap also spoke on the occasion. Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Foreign Minister AH Mahmod Ali and Prime Minister`s Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman were, among others, present.
