Today’s children to build Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla, hopes PM

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DHAKA, Oct 26, 2018 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed the hope that the children of today will build ‘Sonar Bangla’ in future as per the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

“Today’s children are the future of Bangladesh and I hope that they will establish Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Bangabandhu,” she said.

The prime minister was addressing a function as the chief guest at Ganabhaban here this afternoon marking the distribution of prizes among the winners of drawing and essay writing competitions on Bangabandhu’s birthday.

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust organized the competitions on the 96th, 97th and 98th birth day of the Father of the Nation.

Sheikh Hasina, also the chairperson of the trust, highlighted her government’s steps for the development of education. “We’re giving the utmost importance to education to take the country forward so that the next generations are groomed as well-educated citizens of the country,” she said.

“We want every child to pursue education and that’s why we are distributing free textbooks from pre-primary to secondary levels and also providing stipends and scholarships to them,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has nationalized 26,000 primary schools following the footsteps of Bangabandhu. “We’re establishing government colleges and schools in every upazila for development of education,” she said.

Recalling her six-year life in exile after the assassination of Bangabandhu, the premier said she and her sister were not allowed to come home during that period. “When we came to Bangladesh after facing many hurdles, we were barred to enter our historic Dhanmondi 32 house,” she said.

The prime minister said they turned Dhanmondi house into Bangabandhu Museum and formed a trust in the name of the Father of the Nation.

“We’re giving stipends to 1,700 distressed but meritorious children from the fund as well as providing assistance to the August 21 grenade victims,” she said.

The prime minister said her government is encouraging the children in sports and cultural activities like singing and painting so that their talents and thoughts flourish properly.

She reiterated her determination to build a middle income country by 2021 and prosperous and developed country by 2041. “We’ve also adopted Delta Plan-2100 to build Bangladesh as the most developed country in the next century and present a prosperous and beautiful life to the future generation,” she said.

The premier said her government declared 2020-2021 as Mujib Barsho and called upon all to take necessary preparations to celebrate the year in a befitting manner.

President of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum artist Hashem Khan chaired the function while member secretary of Bangabandhu Memorial Trust Sheikh Hafizur Rahman delivered the welcome address. Chief executive officer of the memorial trust Mashura Hossain gave the vote of thanks.

Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, ministers, PM’s advisers, parliament members and senior civil and military officials were present on the occasion.

Earlier, the prime minister distributed prizes and certificates among the winners of the competitions.