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BSS-42
PM-COVID-19-BOISHAKH
PM urges nation to await a sunny day after COVID-19 darkness
DHAKA, April 13, 2020 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged the
nation to await a sunny day to end soon the current dark hours in an address
on the eve of the Bengali new year Pahela Boishakh amid the global COVID-19
pandemic, gripping Bangladesh as well.
“The (coronavirus) darkness which surrounded us must end one day,” she said
in her 16-minute nationwide televised address marking the Bangla Nabo Barsho
1427 from her official Ganobhaban residence lawn.
Sheikh Hasina said the enraged scene of the Bengali calendar’s first month
of Boishakh inspires all to be brave and paves ways for new creation from the
destruction referring to National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s famous poem
“Pralayollas” or “Ecstasy of Destruction”.
“Oi Natuner Keton Ore Kal-Boshekhir Jhor. Tora Sob Joyodwoni Kor! . . .
Dhongso Dekhe Voy Keno Tor?-Proloy Nuton Srijon-Bedon! Asche Nobin-Jibon-Hara
O-Sundore Korte Chhedon!” she recited.
The translated version of the verses read: There rages the summer storm
flying the flag of the New and the Young, Come, make merry and rejoice . . .
Oh, have no fear! . . . The rotting old and the dying decrepit will now be
wiped out for good.
The premier also quoted from Poet Rabindranath Tagore and Poet
Satyendranath Dutta saying a sun of new days must rise by overcoming the deep
darkness of coronavirus that eclipsed the whole world.
Sheikh Hasina simultaneously urged all to strictly follow directives to
prevent spread of the virus staying indoor and announced some fresh
initiatives as succour particularly for the vulnerable people.
She said five lakh tonnes (MT) of rice and one lakh MT of wheat worth Taka
2,503 crore were allocated for distribution among low-income people free of
cost.
Besides, she said, 74,000 MT of rice would be distributed among poorer
people in urban areas for three months at Taka 10 per kilogram under the
government’s OMS programme which would cost the national exchequer an amount
of Taka 251 crore as subsidy.
Sheikh Hasina said her government by now sanctioned Taka 750 crore for
health and life insurance of doctors, nurses, health workers, field-level
officials, armed forces and paramilitary BGB personnel, law enforcement
agencies members and other employees of the republic who are directly on duty
to combat the pandemic.
She said Taka 100 crore was being allocated as special honorarium for the
government health workers working directly with Covid-19 patients and said
the entire nation was appreciating all including them for their response to
call of duty.
The premier reassured the nation that her government firmly stood by the
people at the hour of the COVID-19 darkness and called upon not to be scared
as it could affect one’s resistance capacity.
“Don’t be scared as the fear weakens the prevention capacity of the people.
Don’t spread panic … we’ve all to face the situation with courage and the
government always stays with you,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina reminded all that the Bengalis are a nation of heroes while
they had bravely faced many disasters in the past and “we triumphed in the
Liberation War in 1971” as well.
“We are a victorious nation and we’ll be able to contain the pandemic
caused by the lethal virus together Insha Allah,” she said.
The prime minister prayed to Allah so that the storm of the pandemic is
stopped fast and the people of the country stay well and healthy.
“It’s my earnest prayers to Allah in the Bnagla New Year that the
volatility of the deadly disease is halted quickly,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said some vested quarters were out to mislead the people by
spreading rumours and urged the people not to be confused in the rumour.
“It’s not expected during this crisis in any way,” she said.
The prime minister requested the media people to highlight the actual
information with responsibility on the coronavirus situation.
MORE/AHJ/SH/AR/1958 HRS