DHAKA, Oct 29, 2020 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her
government has taken responsibility for running the state to take Bangladesh
to a more dignified position by making it self-reliant in every aspect
particularly socioeconomically.
“We have shouldered the responsibility of running the state to take
Bangladesh to a more dignified position by achieving self-reliance
socioeconomically without seeking help from others,” she said while virtually
addressing as the chief guest the “Swadhinata Purashkar-2020” (Independence
Award-2020) handing over ceremony from her official Ganabhaban residence
here.
The Cabinet Division organised the function from Osmani Memorial
Auditorium here this morning.
The Prime Minister added: “We are a victorious nation as we had achieved
independence through the Liberation War defeating the Pakistani occupation
forces and their local collaborators. As a victorious nation we will move
around the world with keeping our heads high with due dignity. We will not
seek any help from others like baggers as we have to stand on our own feet.”
To achieve dignity, Sheikh Hasina said her government has been untiringly working
to reach healthcare service and power to every house, ensure education for all,
develop the communication system, provide house to every homeless and
landless people and make the countrymen self-reliant economically.
The premier said Bangladesh had lost the possibility of achieving the
dignity with the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman on August 15 in 1975.
But, assuming office after 21 years, the Awami League has once again
started its journey towards making Bangladesh a “Sonar Bangla” envisioned by
Father of the Nation, she said.
Sheikh Hasina congratulated the recipients of the Independence Award-2020
saying the government has given the award this year to those personalities,
who have immense contribution to independence as well as the country’s socio-
economic advancement.
Eight distinguished persons including two posthumously and an educational
institute had been named for the “Swadhinata Purashkar-2020” (Independence
Award-2020).
The recipients are: Jute and Textiles Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi,MP, and
Azizur Rahman for Independence and Liberation War, one of the key Liberation
War organisers Commander Abdur Rouf (posthumous), martyred intellectual Md
Anwar Pasha (posthumous), Professor Dr Md Obaidul Kabir Chowdhury and Prof Dr
AKMA Muktadir for medical science, Kalipada Das and actress Ferdousi Mazumdar
for culture and Bharateswari Homes, a boarding school for girls in Tangail,
for education. Of the recipients, Azizur Rahman had recently died of Covid-
19.
On behalf of the Prime Minister, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM
Mozammel Haque handed over the award to recipients in recognition of their
glorious and outstanding contribution to their respective fields.
Prof Dr AKMA Muktadir on behalf of the awardees expressed his feeling on
receipt of the highest civilian award.
Each award recipient was awarded with a gold medal weighing 50 grams of
18-karat gold, a certificate and Tk 500,000.
Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam moderated the function and read
out the citations with brief life sketch of the recipients.
Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken various initiatives to restore
the country’s dignity which was destroyed by military dictator Ziaur Rahman
as he gave foreign posting to the killers of Father of the Nation.
Ziaur Rahman not only gave indemnity to killers of Bangabandhu but also
stopped the trial of the war criminals and released them from jail after the
assassination of Father of the Nation, she said.
She continued that the military dictator coming to the power by violating
the constitution also brought back the war criminals, who fled the country
with Pakistani passports, to the country and made them cabinet members and
advisers.
She added that Father of the Nation had initiated the trial of the war
criminals soon after the independence and arrested 21,000 persons in this
connection.
The Prime Minister said they had tried the killers of Bangabandhu and
initiated the trial of the war criminals for committing crimes against
humanity during the country’s Liberation War in 1971 and thus regained the
country’s dignity.
The post 1975 government also tried to erase the name of Father of the
Nation and banned the Historic March 7 speech, which inspired millions of
people to join the Liberation War.
The father of the nation has brought the country’s independence with his
24-year struggle to bring smile on the faces of the countrymen by achieving
their emancipation.
In this connection, she said, “We formed the government (in 1996) after 21
years. Since then, we have been trying to put forth the real history before
the people.”
The Prime Minister has once again requested all to follow the health
guidelines properly to remain protected from the second possible wave of the
Covid-19 as Europe has been rattled by the fresh surge of the diseases.
She, however, expressed her firmness that Bangladesh would definitely
advance towards prosperity and development due to the governments’ timely
measures despite the entire world getting stuck for the pandemic.
The PM prayed for salvation of the departed souls who died of COVID-19,
including “Swadhinata Purashkar-2020 recipient Azizur Rahman.
She also wished early recovery of coronavirus patients.