Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday urged the future leaders of Bangladesh armed forces to live up to the spirit of War of Liberation and remain alert about the misdeeds of the anti-liberation force against the country’s independence and sovereignty.
“It’s your sacred duty to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty. So you have to live up to the spirit of the War of Liberation and remain alert against the misdeeds of the anti- liberation force,” she said.
The prime minister was addressing the President Parade marking the commissioning of the cadets of 67th BMA Long Course and 38th BMA Special Course at Bhatiyari in Chittagong.
Reiterating her government’s commitment to build a smart, competent and modern armed forces, the prime minister said, “You have joined the Bangladesh Army with a commitment to serve the nation. Today you are going to step in broad service life and during the service you have to keep in mind that you are indivisible part of common masses. I hope that you will be partner of their all happiness and woes.”
She added: “I hope you will always perform your duties selflessly and devote you for the causes of the country and people.”
Ministers, PM’s advisors, senior military and civil officials, chiefs of three services, diplomats and guardians of the newly commissioned cadets were present.
On arrival at the BMA parade ground, the prime minister was received by Army Chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, GOC of Army Training and Doctrine Major General AKM Muzahid Uddin and Chittagong Area Commander and GOC of 24 Infantry Division Major General Sabbir Ahmed, and BMA Commandant Brigadier General Md Samsuzaman.
The prime minister reviewed the parade and took salute. She also distributed prizes among the best cadets.
Eighty-five cadets including 10 from Palestine got commission this year. Tarique Zubayer was adjudged as the best all round cadet and received Sword of Honour while Habibullah Khan received the gold medal of Chief of Army Staff for his outstanding achievement in military subject.
The prime minister said, anti liberation forces are out to thwart out our hard earned independence. “Defeated forces always hatch conspiracy against the victor. So I call upon all to remain vigil against any plot of anti-liberation forces to thwart our victory,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is a progressive, secular, developing and peace-loving nation. “Bangladesh has proved it at the national and international levels,” she added.
She said as the contributor of highest number of troops in the UN peacekeeping missions, Bangladesh is playing an important role in keeping the world peace in right order, and at home her government has rooted out the terrorist and militancy which started to gain ground to label Bangladesh as a terrorist nation.
In this regard she pointed out the adoption of Bangladesh’s Peace Model by 193 nations in the 67th UN General Assembly.
Pointing out the services of the members of the armed forces at home and abroad, she said they are discharging their duties with competence and professionalism. “You have to uphold the goodwill of our armed forces,” she said.
The prime minister said, Bangladesh Army has been playing laudable role in implementing the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) peace accord signed in 1997. The force is operating the machine tools factory efficiently.
Members of the armed forces are also showing their excellent performance in constructing road communications and infrastructure particularly in remote hill areas, resolve water logging and traffic congestion in Dhaka.
They are also working excellent in implementing various important projects taken by the present government to accelerate country’s development and people’s welfare, she said.
Highlighting the country’s progress in different areas she said, “People remain in peace and happiness. But a section of people cannot accept it, so they are cooking up conspiracy to dislodge peace from public life.”
Source:The Daily Star
