World now treats Bangladesh with honour: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the incumbent government's continuity of tenure ensured a steady development campaign directly benefitting people and earned Bangladesh a dignified status in international arena.

"The people are now getting the touch of development in every sector and the world treats Bangladesh with honour, not sympathy," she said while addressing the reunion of Bangladesh Awami Sechchasebak League (BASL) at her official Ganabhaban residence here.

The premier added: "We have been able to bring back that honour as there is a continuation of the government." 

Sheikh Hasina said BNP-Jamat alliance plotted to upset the January 2014 polls but they failed as the people were in favour of the election and democracy. 

The prime minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman liberated the country with a goal of building Bangladesh as a hunger and poverty-free country by changing the lot of the exploited and underprivileged people. 

"When the country was marching forward towards economic development under Bangabandhu's leadership, the anti-liberation forces, which killed three mullion martyrs and violated two lakh mothers and sisters, assassinated him as well in 1975," she said. 

Sheikh Hasina said the politics of killing, coup and conspiracies started when the military dictators grabbed power after the assassination of Bangabandhu. 

"The installation of anti-liberation forces in power pushed the country backward as they didn't want that the meaningful independence letting its fruits reach the people's doorsteps," she said. 

The premier said Bangladesh could have become a developed and prosperous country in just 10 years of independence had Bangabandhu been alive.

Sheikh Hasina said the nation was plunged into frustration after August 15, 1975 but it was reset on right tracks and the country's journey towards the path of light from darkness started when Awami League was voted to power in 1996 after prolonged struggle.

She said assuming office after 21 years Awami League restored democracy and lost dignity of the country.

The premier said her government was pursuing its goal to build Bangladesh as a hunger and poverty-free country as dreamt by Bangabandhu and "we have firm belief that we could achieve the goal".

"We can now challenge the world in any field as we have a strength of honesty . . . we could protest the World Bank allegation about Padma Bridge graft as were are honest," she added. 

Sheikh Hasina also sought Doa from the countrymen for her son eminent IT expert Sazeeb Wazed Joy on the occasion of his birthday today. 

"joy immensely contributed to our declaration of Digital Bangladesh as I received all necessary advices from him in this regard," she said. 

Sheikh Hasina also recalled her days in captivity along with other family members during the Liberation War when Joy was born.

BASL organized the function on the occasion of its 23rd founding anniversary. 

Sechchasebak League President Advocate Mollah Mohammad Abu Kawsar presided over the function, while its General Secretary Pankaj Debnath spoke on the occasion.

Awami League Advisory Council Member and founding convenor of the BASL Alhaj Maqbul Hossain and AL Organizing Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim were present on the dais. 

Earlier, the leaders of central and Dhaka North and South units of the organisation greeted the prime minister by presenting her with flower bouquets.

Source: bss