List the homeless, we'll make homes
Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked her party men and public representatives to make a list of poor and homeless people to ensure their welfare and make Bangladesh a poverty-free country.
“We want to free Bangladesh from poverty. I request you all to make a list of poor and homeless people in your areas. We will build houses and give those to them for free. They are our citizens,” she said at the inaugural session of the AL's 20th national council at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital.
“Awami League is a people's organisation. It is our duty to ensure people's welfare. There would be no poverty if we can ensure the welfare of people. It is our commitment that there will be no poverty in the country.”
The government has brought the poverty rate down to 22.4 percent from 97 percent. The country's per capita income would keep rising, she added.
The AL chief said the party faced adverse situations many a time. But its grassroots leaders kept the organisation going by making sacrifices and overcoming the odds.
Reaffirming her government's zero tolerance policy on terrorism, she said, “We've taken all measures against it. No one would be able to use the country's land for terrorist activities. We will not allow anyone to use our land to carry out attacks on any neighbouring country.
“Our decision is that there will be no place for terrorism and militancy in Bangladesh. We will establish Bangladesh as a peaceful country in South Asia.”
In her 40-minute speech, the PM highlighted the country's development activities in various sectors, including health, education, ICT and agriculture.
“Our target is to strengthen the economy…. We have taken steps to build 100 economic zones for local and foreign investors to create a great number of jobs.”
On the foreign policy, the PM said Bangladesh wants to maintain good relations with all at bilateral, regional and international levels.
Earlier, the ruling party's council started with the rendering of the national anthem at 10:07am.
Hasina arrived at the centre stage at 10:05am and inaugurated the two-day programme at 10:13am. It was followed by a cultural programme.
AL Office Secretary Abdul Mannan Khan read out a condolence motion and then one minute's silence was observed.
Party General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam presented the “Report of General Secretary”.
The PM hoped Bangladesh would be a bridge between the East and the West, and said her government puts emphasis on connectivity, especially the regional one.
She expressed optimism that the country's GDP would reach 8-10 percent by 2041.
Hasina said her government would take necessary measures to ensure education, safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities for all, and nutrition for every child.
Internet services will be there for all, and multimedia classrooms would be set up in all educational institutions to materialise the dream of “Digital Bangladesh”.
She said 78 percent people are now under electricity network. Electricity coverage would be 100 percent by 2021.
The government will implement its programmes to combat the adverse impacts of climate change, she said, adding that it took initiatives with its own resources for adaptation to and mitigation of impacts of climate change.
Bangladesh will be rebuilt in the spirit of the Liberation War and the government will do whatever necessary to take the fruits of independence to every household, said the PM.
Hasina said the anti-liberation forces came to power and tried to destroy the spirit of the Liberation War after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “The defeated forces of 1971 were rehabilitated in politics and they distorted the real history of the Liberation War.”
She said the AL government in 2009 restored the spirit of the Liberation War and people got the opportunity to know the history of the Liberation War.
The PM recalled that when the AL elected her as party president in 1981, she returned home from abroad despite stiff opposition from the then military regime.
Hasina said that because of people's love, she could get over the shock of the August 15 tragedy and decided to work for people.
She talked about the glorious history of the party founded in 1949, and mentioned that the AL was the main political platform through which the people of Bangladesh achieved whatever they have got now.
AL Presidium Member Mohammad Nasim, General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam and 14 political leaders from abroad also spoke at the council.
A total of 6,570 councillors and 6,570 delegates took part in it. Political leaders and representatives of various professions also joined the inaugural session.
It was attended by, among others, Jatiya Party leaders Anisul Islam Mahmud and Ziauddin Bablu, Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, Communist Party of Bangladesh President Mujahidul Islam Selim, Workers Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu, 32-party alliance leader Nazmul Huda, and Jasad (Rab) President ASM Abdur Rab.
Comments