If I get into politics again or take any other position, I will be humiliating the people of this country.

— Abdul Hamid

With President Mohammed Shahabuddin taking the oath of office, the era of president Abdul Hamid came to an end yesterday.

Hamid was given a guard of honour and a farewell. He was quiet and calm during his farewell.

He said his life as president in the Bangabhaban often felt like living in confinement as he could not lead a free life and be among the people due to tight security protocol.

During the 10 years as president, Hamid became acceptable to everyone, including political parties like the BNP. All respect the charming, cordial and friendly man.

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Throughout his political career that began in 1959, Hamid was admired by everyone for his simplicity, honesty and his witty speeches.

However, in 2018, when he commuted top criminal Tofayel Ahmed Joseph's life sentence for murder, it drew huge criticism.

Even though he was vocal against corruption, corrupt politics, poor image of student politics, university teachers in politics, and loan defaulters, Hamid stayed mum on the controversial one-sided national election in 2014 when more than half the MPs were elected unopposed.

He also did not say anything when there was a bizarre system in parliament under which the opposition was also a part of the government.

But his journey from the grassroots to the Bangabhaban was remarkable.

The only president of Bangladesh to finish two five-year terms in a row started his political career at 15 in 1959 by joining the then East Pakistan Chhatra League.

Ten years later, he joined the Awami League.

In 1970, when he was just 26, Hamid was elected a member of parliament from the Mymensingh-18 constituency.

Hamid is a valiant freedom fighter.

In independent Bangladesh, he was elected MP seven times by the people of his area, Kishoreganj.

Ending his presidency yesterday, Hamid told reporters at the Bangabhaban, "I am retired now. Those who are tired, go for retirement. Now I can engage myself in some writing. But there is no plan to be in politics actively.

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"Because the people of the country gave me so much respect and made me president -- the highest post of the country for two terms. If I get into politics again or take any other position, I will be humiliating the people of this country."

When journalists asked him how he plans to be with the people after 10 years in tight security, Hamid said he loves the people but could not go near them or express his love. "Now I will be able to express it to many people."

"I was the Speaker [of parliament]. I had no desire to come here. I was more comfortable in parliament. Because I considered myself free there. I knew that I will fall into many traps when coming here. Anyway, I have spent 10 years here.

"I think I have served the longest time as president in this subcontinent."

According to the constitution, no one can hold the office of president for more than two terms.

After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, 16 others have served as president.

Hamid became the president in-charge on March 14, 2013, when then president Zillur Rahman was under treatment in Singapore.

After Zillur's death, he became the acting president on March 20 that year.

He was elected president unopposed on April 22 and was sworn in on April 24.

Hamid was elected president a second time on February 07, 2018, and took the oath of office on April 24.

On his successor, Hamid said, "He will fulfil his constitutional duties properly. This is the expectation of the whole nation and my expectation as well."

Yesterday, Hamid moved into his home in Nikunja in the capital.

President Abdul Hamid today said that respect for teachers in the society is gradually shrinking due to the activities of some vice-chancellors and teachers.

"When I open the newspaper, it seems that the main responsibility of some vice-chancellors is to give jobs to family members and loyalists and take administrative and financial privileges in various ways," he said.

The president was addressing Dhaka University's 53rd convocation held at the central field on the campus.

He further said transparency and accountability must be ensured in the activities of every university to ensure respect for teachers.

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The president also emphasised taking care of the issues seriously as the dignity of the entire teachers' community can't be undermined due to the activities of a few dishonest people.

Hamid said many teachers also consider university job as an "optional duty" as they prefer to take part-time courses, evening courses or classes in private universities.

The president said it is the expectation of everyone that teachers will be responsible towards the profession as they are leading and respected figures in the society.

"We want every university to become the heart of research and academic education under the leadership of the vice-chancellor and with the cooperation of students and teachers," he said.

He also said that merit and qualification should be given priority in any recruitment including teachers.

The president, who is also the chancellor of the university, presided over the grand event while Nobel laureate French economist Prof Jean Tirole joined it as the convocation speaker.

Prof Jean Tirole, whose work had a significant impact across a wide range of fields within economics, including microeconomics, game theory, and industrial organisation, was awarded with a Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) degree at the event as the 53rd awardee.

Graduates, postgraduate students who registered for the convocation and invitees were allowed to attend the programme in-person.

A total of 30,348 students registered for the convocation of whom 22,287 are from Dhaka University and 7,796 students from the affiliated colleges.

A total of 153 gold medals were conferred on teachers, researchers and students for the research and academic excellences. Besides, 97 received Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree while 35 academics MPhil degree.

Students and teachers of seven colleges also joined the convocation virtually.

President Abdul Hamid yesterday called for mounting pressure on Myanmar from across the world to take back the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh.

He was addressing a global security summit on the sidelines of the World Investment Forum-2018 here.

"The case of the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar may be considered as an acid test for the global community to collectively deal with an international problem and a test case for any future international cooperation on peace and security," Hamid said.

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He urged the international community to arrive at a durable solution and stop the process of impunity by identifying the persons responsible for the acts of violence.

"We all are appalled by what we have seen in the UN reports about the horrifying atrocities committed against them [Rohingyas] which tantamount to genocide and crimes against humanity… and we are trying to do our best in our ability to provide food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, childcare and above all, the sense of security."

The president delivered his speech on "The hardening of international relations: A risk to peace and security" at the opening session of the 20th Homeland and Global Security Forum at Grand Hotel Kempinski in Geneva.

Hamid is now on a five-day official visit to Geneva to attend the World Investment Forum-2018.

Observing that the rise of terrorism and extremism along with proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and trans-national crimes were pushing the humanity to the edge, the president said local or regional conflicts abound in all parts of the world and some countries were seen taking different sides instead of putting pressure on the opposing sides.

He stressed the need for concerted efforts involving all countries to face new security threats like cyber attack and cope with the adverse impacts of climate change-induced disasters.

"Peace has now become more than absence of war and the traditional definition of security has changed forever. Now we also have powerful non-state actors to influence the international politics to make the matter worse.

"As the Fourth Industrial Revolution has presented us with an unparalleled prospect of development, at the same time the humanity is also faced with probably the greatest dangers and existential threats in all its known history," he said.

Noting that the world must feed more than 9 billion people by 2050, he said it was not prepared for that as malnutrition and hunger were still ruling many parts of the world.

"The rise of nationalist identity-based politics set by different countries along with lack of trust are directly impacting activities of different multilateral organisations and their peace-building efforts… absence of trust and lack of collaboration are on the rise," he said.

Armenian President Armen Sarkissian, Montenegro President Filip Vujanovic and Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Motsoahae Thabane, among others, spoke on the occasion.

President Hamid exchanged greetings with the heads of the states and representatives of different countries.

President M Abdul Hamid today asked the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to disseminate the warning message to all levels that corrupt individuals, whoever he or she may be, must get punishment.

"Send the message of stern actions against the corrupt individuals at all levels," the president said as a three-member ACC delegation, led by its Chairman Iqbal Mahmood, submitted its Annual Report-2017 to him at Bangabhabanin Dhaka this afternoon.

President Hamid also stressed the need for awareness campaigns and social resistance against corruption at all strata of life, President's Press Secretary Mohammad Joynal Abedin told BSS.

He advised the youths to raise strong voice against corrupt practices in all sectors in society, especially in the education sector.

He categorically urged the young generation to take stern measures against the corruption in education sector.

Abdul Hamid advised the ACC delegation to conduct appropriate investigation into corruption-related cases prior to serving any notice on any person.

The ACC chief apprised the president of the overall activities and outcome of the commission in last one year, seeking his (President) supports and directives to gear up the activities of the commission as the national anti-graft watchdog.

He said the ACC continued its public hearings in 2017 to create awareness at the grassroots level against corruption.

"In the last year, 70 percent of the graft cases were settled with awarding different terms of punishment," the ACC chairman mentioned.

ACC commissioners- Dr Nasiruddin Ahmed and A F M Aminul Islam and Secretaries concerned to the president were present.

President today called on the lawyers to ensure legal aid services to general people at low cost.

The President made the urge while delivering his speech as chief guest at a reception accorded to him on the second day of a three-day visit to his home district Kishoreganj.

Kishoreganj Judges Court Lawyers Association organised the reception programme and a discussion at the district judge court premises.

"All people who come to file cases should not be considered as rich people. Most of them are poor. I will request you to consider this before charging extra money," the President Abdul Hamid said.

The President stressed on the need for reducing the charges for legal services. He opined that imposing tax with high rate on different legal services put on extra burden for the poor justice seekers.

He said the lawyers must maintain unity in a way so that everyone keeps faith on them. He cautioned against favouritism, power misuse.

Mentioning law as equal for all, the President said "If lawyers get involved in crime, other lawyers should come forward to fight against the lawyers. If it does not happen, the rule of law will not be established. I do not obey the rule, but others will have to abide by the law....this mentality will not help establish the rule of law."

Recalling his long-term practice at Kishoreganj District Judge Court, "It hurts when I hear any negative comment about the Bar. I feel very upset. Seniors should take special care to ensure the good environment. They (seniors) should play an active role in teaching etiquettes and ethics."

President inaugurated the newly constructed main gate and extension of court building of the judge court of the district.

Meanwhile, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq laid foundation of a new building - Rastropoti Abdul Hamid Bhaban - in the court premises.

President of Kishoregnaj District Lawyers Association advocate M A Rashid presided over the programme while Kishoreganj District Judge Mahbub-ul-Islam and Zilla Parishad Chairman Zillur Rahman also spoke at the event.