ZCZC
BSS-33
PM-OFFICE LAST DAY 3 LAST DHAKA
Mentioning the country’s stunning socioeconomic development including increasing the salary of the government employees, Sheikh Hasina said, “We worked with you over the last 10 years. We are temporary (in office). But you are permanent. We are elected to power for five years.”
She said, “I’m fortunate that we came to power for the second time. So, our development projects are now visible. The living standard of the people has been changed up to the rural level during our tenure.”
About the development of Monga-prone areas of the northern region during her tenure, the premier said she visited the areas for several times. “But when I visited the northern region this time, I witnessed tremendous changes there.”
Pointing out that her government’s future aim is to further improve the living standard of the people, Sheikh Hasina said, “For this, in our election manifesto, we declared to build every village as a town so that all rural people could get all types of civic facilities.”
Referring to the construction of flats for all ranging from government employees to Dalit Harijon class, the prime minister said her government believes in equal development. “We will construct flats for slum-dwellers so every common people can get a beautiful life … none will remain neglected.”
About the changing the designations of subordinate employees of different professions, she said, “I have changed their designation as it is dishonor to him/her to be called as barbers or sweepers when their children become educated.”
Sheikh Hasina said, “I had changed the designations of the subordinate employees of army when I was in power in 1996. Later, I made arrangements for changing the designations of the lower class employees of our administration and other sectors … there were some designations of British regime which had no logic.”
The prime minister said the government has taken steps for giving Bangla New Year festival bonus so that the people of every religion can celebrate it in unison.
“We have taken measures to provide Boishakhi festival bonus so that all can celebrate our Bangla New Year together,” she added.
The premier expressed her determination to build Bangladesh in the non-communal spirit where there will be no difference between the rich and the poor.
“By reducing income disparity, we want to make such an arrangement so that the people can lead a better life,” she said.
At the end of her speech, Sheikh Hasina recited from Poet Sukanta Bhattacharya’s ‘Chharpatra’ communicating her desire to turn the country into a suitable abode for the posterity. She recited, “Choley jabo, tobu aaj jatakkhan dehe achey pran, pranponey prithibir sorabo janjal…….. E bishwake e shishur basjoggya kore jabo ami”.
In English, the lines could be read as: “I will leave, but I will clear the odds with all my efforts so long I’m alive. I will make the earth livable for the children; it’s my firm commitment to a new born”.
Later, the prime minister visited a terracotta mural set up on the wall of the main gate of the PMO.
Chhatra League leader Muhammad Arifuzzaman Nur Nabi is the sculptor of the mural enriched with the glorious history of Bangalee nation from 1952 Language Movement to 1971 Liberation War.
BSS/FN/PSB-SH/GA/1815 hrs