DHAKA, July 31, 2018 (BSS) – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed
her firm conviction that Bangabandhu Satellite would play a pivotal role in
overall development of the country, opening up new opportunities for the
learners of new generation.
“Through the satellite we would be able to know the whole world and our
children would be able to learn about space and nuclear technology, marine
science and other areas of science, culture and nature which would be useful
for them as well as country’s development,” she said.
The prime minister was addressing a function here today at Bangabandhu
International Conference Centre (BICC) organized for celebrating successful
launching of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 and inauguration of its ground stations
at Gazipur and Betbunia.
Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
had laid the foundation stone of the country’s first satellite station at
Betbunia in Rangamati. But after his brutal death the space technology didn’t
get due importance to flourish.
Bangladesh has emerged as the 57th country having Satellite in the space
and 34th nation of constructing nuclear power plant, the prime minister said,
adding that “we have to hold up the dignity and take the country forward.”
The premier said her government has attached importance to development of
the entire country. The government is striving to create a democratic
atmosphere and ensure the rights of the people to food and franchise, she
added.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Information Minister Hasanul Haq
Inu, PM’s advisor on ICT affairs Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, state minister for ICT
Zunaid Ahmed Palak attended the function as special guests with post,
telecommunications and ICT minister Mustafa Jabbar in the chair.
Secretary of the post, telecommunication ministry Shyam Sundar Sikder and
Chairman of Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Ltd. Dr Shajahan
Mahmud also spoke on the occasion.
Cabinet members, PM’s advisors, chiefs of naval and air forces, parliament
members, diplomats of different countries and civil and military officials
attended the function.
The prime minister inaugurated the two ground stations for Bangabandhu
Satellite-1 through video conferencing with the officials of the Gazipur and
Rangamati districts and engineers of the stations. She also released
commemorative stamps issued by the postal department on the occasion.
The ground stations were named after PM’s ICT advisor Sajeeb Wazed in
recognition of his contribution to successful launching of Bangabandhu
Satellite-1 and development of space and digital technology in Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina said her government after assuming office in 1996 had taken
steps to provide modern education on computer technology to the people. Now
about nine crore people use internet while 13 crore mobile SIMs are being
used in the country.
She said information technology is being used for ‘learning and earning’
and many unemployed rural youths have found their employment opportunities in
the IT sector. Government services were made available for people from 5,275
digital centres across the country.
She urged everybody to help continue the ongoing development of the country
and execution of the more plans of the government in the socioeconomic areas
for further advancement of the nation.
The prime minister said taking office after 21 years of brutal killing of
Bangabandhu, her government had taken initiatives to attain food autarky as
the prime and foremost task. The Awami League government had also attached
utmost importance to education on science and technology, she added.
Awami league government after coming to office in 1996, has upgraded the
analogue system of telecommunication to digital, she said, adding that
television, radio and other modes of communication system were opened to
private sector aimed at developing of the sectors as well as creating job
opportunities.
Sheikh Hasina said a peace treaty was signed to bring normalcy in the
Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) while mobile network was expanded to ensure its
socioeconomic development.
The prime minister congratulated the concerned engineers and officials who
worked for successful launching of the Bangabandhu Satellite-1 in the space
and inaugurating satellite ground stations at Gazipur and Betubunya.
Sheikh Hasina said she has no personal ambition or choice except building
Bangladesh as a peaceful and prosperous country as dreamt by Father of the
Nation. Launching of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 is one step forward to achieve
the goal, she added.