She was addressing as chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony and cultural function at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre organised by Zia Shishu Academy, a pro-BNP cultural organisation.

Urging all to make the country an ideal place to prepare the children as good citizens, she said, "We are working so no children would remain hungry or deprived of schooling."

"We want to see Bangladesh as a prosperous country. We want to make it the proper place for creating good citizens," the former prime minister said in her maiden public speech after the declaration of state of emergency by President Iajuddin Ahmed on January 11.

"Those who are now children will lead the country in future and they will bring honour for the nation. So it should be a collective responsibility to ensure that the children become worthy citizens," she said.

"We should repay our debt to those who sacrificed their lives for the language by loving the country. You should pay attention to your study as the future Bangladesh is looking up to you," she said addressing the children.

Khaleda Zia recalled late president Ziaur Rahman's initiatives for the welfare of the children including establishment of a separate ministry.

Among others, BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, former state minister Shah Abul Hossain, Zia Sishu Academy leader Humayun Kabir, Amin Ahmed spoke on the occasion with Academy Chairman Hamida Ali in the chair.

Later Khaleda Zia distributed prizes to winners of different categories of the competition.

A total of 43,432 child contestants from six divisions attended the competition, the academy leaders said.