COX'S BAZAR, Dec 7, 2022 (BSS) - The Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium here become a bustling ground as people of all strata of life alongside the leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies throng on it centring the public rally of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today.

The country's most popular tourist destination Cox's Bazar, which is famous for the world's largest unbroken sea beach, turned into a place of euphoria with enthusiasm of hundreds of thousands of people due to the grand rally organised by Cox's Bazar Awami League.

It was Sheikh Hasina's third consecutive appearance at the public gathering outside Dhaka following the rally in Jashore on November 24 and in Chattogram on Dec 4 after over 27 months since the Covid-19 outbreak.

Pinning upon the public rally of the Prime Minister, the entire Cox's Bazar city turned into a place of jubilation.

The city was in festivity while people from all walks of life as well as leaders and activists of AL became enthusiastic. Arrival of Sheikh Hasina, who is also the president of AL, enlivened the leaders and activists in the area.

Before the arrival of the prime minister, hundreds of thousands of people thronged the rally ground at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium which is adjacent to the sea beach from early morning and within a few hours, the ground became full to the brim.

The crowd then spilled over the surrounding areas, roads and empty places, meaning the town turned into a human sea beside the Bay of Bengal before the arrival of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the boat-shaped stage at 3:55pm.

Earlier, from the morning, mass people, women and supporters were seen marching towards the venue in processions chanting slogans "Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu" and holding colourful placards, banners, festoons, wearing colourful T-shirts, caps on heads, head bands, beating drums, carrying election symbol boat as well as national and party flags.

Women in large and small groups as well as individually waited in the queue at the gate with smiling faces to enter the venue.

Hundreds of thousands of leaders and followers of Awami League and its associate bodies from different parts of the district joined the rally in a fleet of reserved buses, pickups, motorcycles while many were seen joining the rally on foot.

A group of people, who came from Chakoria, said they arrived at the venue early to secure their place in the front row. Due to a huge crowd, they feared that they might not be able to enter the venue if they were late, they added.

Colourful arches and gates have been constructed on various roads of the town with the posters and banners of the prime minister. AL leaders set up banners, balloons, festoons and posters welcoming the Prime Minister and the party chief in various areas of the city.

From the morning at rally ground, local singers and cultural activists performed till the beginning of the rally to cheer up the crowd.

Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived in Cox's Bazar on a day-long visit to attend a number of programmes.

During the visit, the Prime Minister attended the International Fleet Review (IFR)-2022 here at Inani.

The four-day IFR-2022 began with participation of navy and maritime organisations from 28 countries including Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Navy is organizing the IFR on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Independence of the country.

It will be the first ever IFR in the country with participation of so many nations including the USA, the UK, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, India, China, Korea, Indonesia, Turkey, the Netherlands and the host Bangladesh.

The IFR-2022 will serve as an ideal platform for world navies to showcase their prowess, naval diplomacy, goodwill and cooperation in the international arena.

In the afternoon, the Awami League President addressed the rally at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium on a stage built in the shape of a boat.

The government has taken massive development scheme for Cox's Bazar involving Taka over 3.50 lakh crore which is now under implementation.

As part of these, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated 29 development projects and laid foundation stones of four schemes involving Taka 1963.86 crore.

At the outset of the largest ever rally held at the Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium here in Cox's Bazar this afternoon, the head of the government had inaugurated and laid foundation stone of the 33 development projects.

The Prime Minister said the development schemes are "gifts" from her.