Bangladesh’s graduation to developing country a slap to critics: PM

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DHAKA, March 19, 2018 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said Bangladesh’s graduation to a developing country is a slap to those who forecast that Bangladesh will be a bottomless basket after independence.

“A quarter during the Liberation War asked what the country will achieve after being independent… it will be a bottomless basket. I think the Bangalees can give a slap on their face and they did it,” she said while opening a month-long solo art exhibition of celebrated artist Shahabuddin Ahmed at Shilpakala Academy here this afternoon.

Shilpakala Academy and Ganges Art Gallery, Kolkata (India) in association with the Bangladesh Ministry of Cultural Affairs have organised the exhibition titled “Shanti” (peace) at Gallery No. 2 of National Art Gallery of the Academy.

Cultural Affairs Secretary Ibrahim Hossain Khan presided over the function, while independence award-winning artist Shahabuddin Ahmed, Academy Director General Liakat Ali Lucky and Director of the Ganges Art Gallery Ms Smita Bajoria spoke.

At the function, the premier unveiled the cover of a book “Amar Muktijuddha”, written by Shahabuddin Ahmed.

The prime minister said Bangladesh has achieved worldwide recognition as it graduated to a developing country from the LDC group. “We’ve been able to stand keeping our head high as we followed the footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu earned Bangladesh’s recognition as a least developed country and Bangladesh didn’t get any honour for 38 years.

She said now Bangladesh got the UN recognition as a developing country. “We’ve learned to stand on our own feet economically …we’re not dependent on anybody. We’ve proved that we can develop the country ourselves,” she said.

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