ZCZC
BSS-50
PM-MESSAGE-NEW YEAR
PM greets nation on New Year’s eve
DHAKA, Dec 31, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today
greeted the countrymen on the eve of the New Year 2020 in English
calendar.
“The outgoing 2019 was a glorious year in the history of the
Bangalee nation . . . let the new year bring in all our lives
untainted happiness, peace and prosperity,” she said in a message
issued on the occasion of the New Year.
The premier said Bangladesh witnessed glorious success in 2019
in the area of diplomacy maintaining constitutional and democratic
continuation and upholding the spirit of the Liberation War.
Sheikh Hasina said the annual growth rate of GDP (gross
domestic product) was 8.15 percent in the outgoing year which is
the highest in the history of Bangladesh while the per capita
income surged to $1909.
“Poverty rate in the country came down to 20.5 percent,” she
added.
Literacy rate increased to 73.9 percent while the average
life expectancy of the people has risen to over 72.9 years, she
said, adding that students are getting free books and other
supports from the government.
The premier said 95 percent people have come under electricity
coverage and the government has been working to ensure cent
percent power supply within a short period of time.
About the healthcare services, the Prime Minister said the
government has reached healthcare services at the doorstep of the
grassroots people.
“The 2020 is a special glorious year for the Bengalee nation
as the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman is going to be celebrated in this year,” she said,
adding, “We have declared the year 2020 as Mujib Barsha”.
The year-long programme will begin through a colourful
inauguration of the birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 17, 2020, she said.
“Let’s build a ‘Golden Bengal’ free from hunger, poverty,
illiteracy and communalism as dreamt by the greatest Bangalee of
all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,”
she added.
BSS/PR/DH/ARS/1928 hrs