ZCZC
BSS-34
PM-ADDRESS-NATION 2 LAST DHAKA
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that the government has made arrangements for supplying combined harvesters and reapers at subsidised prices and for this Tk 200 crore was allocated.
Besides, she said, Tk 5,000 crore has been allocated for the farmers at only 4 percent interest to offset the agriculture fallout of the COVID-19.
Sheikh Hasina said loan facilities of Tk 5,000 crore against special fund for export-oriented industries have been made effective and those who could not join the work are also getting 60 percent salary.
“Payment of salary and allowances from this incentive package has already started,” she said.
The premier said the government has allowed opening of some shops before Eid by maintaining health codes and other rules.
“Those who opened the business organisations and those who are going to shops must keep themselves protected and avoid gathering,” she advised.
She said: “Your protection is in your hands … keep in mind that if you stay safe, your family, neighbours and the country will remain protected as well.”
Mentioning that storms, cyclones and pandemics will come, Sheikh Hasina said: “We’ll have to go forward by combating those.”
Putting emphasis on united efforts of the people to fight any disaster, Sheikh Hasina said if they (people) remain united it’s not a difficult task to overcome any crisis however deep it is.
“You’ve proved this again and we’ve been able to face the two-and-a half-month period of the coronavirus pandemic successfully for your cooperation and support,” she said.
Mentioning that this year’s Eid-ul-Fitr is going to be celebrated in a different perspective as the country has been facing twin blows of Covid-19 pandemic and super cyclone Amphan, the premier called upon the solvent people not to forget the poor neighbours, villagers and the people of their locality.
“Stand by your poor neighbours with whatever ability you have, and only then the enjoyment of Eid will get its completeness,” she told the well-off people.
Urging all to share the joy of Eid with the family members staying at home in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, she said, “All of you stay well, sound and safe and enjoy the Eid by staying at home … May the Great Allah bless us.”
The premier said that mass gatherings have been postponed to stop further spread of the lethal virus for which it won’t be possible to celebrate this year’s Eid like the normal time.
“Enquire about the wellbeing of relatives and exchange pleasantries with one another through telephone or virtual media as it won’t be possible to meet physically this year (because of COVID-19 pandemic),” she added.
In this context, Sheikh Hasina said the programmes marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year, had been celebrated through radio, television and digital media to avoid gatherings.
She said measures have already been taken to offer Eid prayers at mosques instead of Eidgahs by maintaining social distancing and the health code.
The premier expressed gratitude to frontline warriors against COVID-19 pandemic, including the physicians, nurses and health workers, for rendering medicare services to all as well as the law enforcers and local administrations for distributing relief materials and implementing other programmes of the government by risking their lives.
She offered deep shock and sorrow at the deaths of people at home and abroad, including physicians, law enforcers, journalists and bankers, from the Covid-19 and the cyclone Amphan and wished early recovery of the coronavirus infected people mentioning that “danger never comes alone.”
Elaborating her government’s measures for ensuring treatment for Covid-19 patients, the premier said that they have already increased the capacity to this end by designating a significant number of private hospitals alongside the public ones and appointing 2,000 physicians and 5,000 nurses.
“We have directed the hospitals to ensure treatment for all types of patients,” she added.
The prime minister extended heartiest greetings to all the people at home and elsewhere across the globe marking the largest festival of the Muslims that comes after a holy month of fasting.
“This is the day (Eid day) the Great Allah fixes to celebrate with jubilation forgetting all the pains and tiredness during the month of fasting.”
Sheikh Hasina ended her speech by reciting some verses from a legendary song written by Bangladesh’s National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. Following are the verses:
“O Mor Ramzaner oi Rojar seshe
Elo khushir Eid
tui apnake aj biliye de, shon
asmane tagid.
Tor shona-dana, balakhana
shob rahe illilah
de jakat, murda muslim er aaj
bhanga itenit
O Mor Ramzaner oi Rojar seshe
Elo khushir Eid.”
At the outset of her speech, the prime minister paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage, four national leaders, three million martyrs, and two lakh mothers and sisters who were tortured during the Liberation War.
BSS/AHJ/SH/GA/1948hrs