Eminent citizens wish PM on her birthday

Eminent citizens of the country conveyed their wishes to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the eve of her 70th birthday, describing her as the "great daughter of the greatest Bengali of all time Bangabandhu" and a mother figure. 

The prominent citizens including educationalists, economists, writers, physicians and cultural personalities whished Sheikh Hasina good health and long life. They expressed the birthday wishes as they talked to BSS of the prime minister's remarkable achievements. 

They pointed out her achievement in driving the country towards economic emancipation and building good image of Bangladesh in the world by successfully participating in bilateral and multilateral forums including the recent 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The senior citizens highly lauded her role in fighting against terrorism and militancy and freeing the nation from the disgrace of the August assassination by bringing the killers to justice. 

They also termed her as the "Architect of Digital Bangladesh" and credited her for empowering women, eradicating poverty and effectively initiating mitigation of climate related challenges. The personalities also praised the prime minister for her affection for literature, sports and music.

"To me, Sheikh Hasina is the friend of people who is leading all the activities for the socio-economic development of the country," eminent economist Dr Mohammad Farashuddin said.

He said the most positive thing of her personality is her motherly attitude toward the people.

"She also has better understanding on the latest development in world's socio-economic and political issues and strong commitment in leading the country in the right direction," said the economist who saw both Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina closely. 

Praising the leadership of the prime minister, Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, a former advisor of the caretaker government, said Bangladesh is really advancing well because of her strong commitment towards development.

"As an infrastructure expert, I see massive development has been made in the communication sector while construction of Padma Bridge and Payra Sea Port are going on, which will help strengthen our economy," said the renowned civil engineer.

"Bangabandhu devoted his life to the welfare of the people. With similar dedication, his daughter Sheikh Hasina is leading the nation towards a bright future," said Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique. 

Prof Siddique highly praised the role of the prime minister at different global forums particularly in the 71st UNGA saying that such role encouraged not only the people of this country, but the leaders across the world. 

"We hope that the nation and the world will follow the suggestion of the prime minister that she gave in UNGA for upholding the rights of the people around the world," the leading educationalist said.

"No word is enough to describe her towering personality. We are proud of our beloved prime minister for her visionary leadership under which Bangladesh already made remarkable progress," said former chairman of University Grants Commission (UGC) Prof Dr AK Azad Chowdhury.

Prof Azad, also a former vice chancellor of Dhaka University, hoped that Bangladesh would achieve middle income status by 2021 under the dynamic leadership of the prime minister.

Noted theatre personality Ramendu Majumdar termed Sheikh Hasina as the prime driving force of all development activities. 

"Development of the country and trial of the war criminals would not be possible without her firm commitment and direction," he said.

Famed novelist Selina Hossain said Sheikh Hasina took the country to a prestigious position with her exceptional personality and endevour to establish human rights, particularly the rights of the children. 

She said Bangladesh has turned around from a under developed country to a prosperous one under the leadership of the prime minister, making the nation proud of her.

Renowned physician Dr Pran Gopal Dutta said Sheikh Hasina has many achievements, but the initiative which touched him most was the introduction of community clinics.

"It is a unique mother-care facility in the world where a pregnant mother gets all services and directives for safe delivery," said the professor, also a former vice-chancellor of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.

He also praised Sheikh Hasina for making the government responsible for ensuring housing of autistic children, declaring Bangabandhu's birthday as the National Children Day and initiating allowances for widows, elderly and physically and mentally challenged people.

"I respect her bold stand against communalism and radicalism," said a former adviser of the caretaker government and eminent educationalist Rasheda K Chowdhury.

She said the name of Sheikh Hasina would be written in the history for her extra-ordinary human qualities and the role in empowering women nationally and internationally.

"The prime minister is caring like a mother. She is the great daughter of the greatest Bengali of all time," said well-known writer Anisul Haque.

Referring to Sheikh Hasina's love for literature, Haque said, "It is obviously a matter of pride for us that we (the writers) have got a prime minister who loves literature". 

Lauding her time-befitting leadership in the field of information technology, eminent computer scientist and a professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Mohammad Kaykobad said Bangladesh is on the track to be a technologically advanced country, envisioned by the prime minister.

Source:BSS