Children to materialise 'Sonar Bangla' of Bangabandhu: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday expressed hope that the country's children will fulfil the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and build a “Sonar Bangla”.

“Today's children are the future of Bangladesh and they will build a 'Sonar Bangla' as dreamt by Bangabandhu,” she said.

The premier was addressing a function at Gono Bhaban, marking distribution of prizes among winners of drawing and essay writing competitions, which had been organised on the occasion of Bangabandhu's birthday, reports UNB. Jatir Janak Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust organised the competitions on 96th, 97th and 98th birthdays of the Father of the Nation.

The PM briefly described various programmes taken by the government to upgrade the country's education system.

“Being well-educated, today's children will run the country tomorrow,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina, also president of the memorial trust, said the government is working for people's welfare and building a prosperous Bangladesh.

She said the government wants every child to pursue education and that is why it is distributing free textbooks from pre-primary to secondary levels and providing stipends and scholarships to them.

The government has nationalised some 26,000 primary schools, following Bangabandhu's footsteps, she said. “We're establishing a college and school in every upazila.”

She said they have turned the Dhanmondi house into Bangabandhu Museum and formed a trust in Bangabandhu's name.

“We're giving stipends to 1,700 disadvantaged but meritorious children from the fund and providing assistance to the August 21 grenade attack victims.”

Hasina said her government is encouraging children to participate in sports and cultural activities so that they can flourish properly.

She said her government declared 2020-2021 as “Mujib Barsho” and called upon all to take necessary preparations to celebrate the year in a befitting manner, reports BSS.

Hasina thanked participants of the competitions and their guardians, and hoped more children will take part in the competitions in coming years.

President of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum Hashem Khan chaired the function while member secretary of Bangabandhu Memorial Trust Sheikh Hafizur Rahman delivered the welcome address. Chief Executive Officer of the memorial trust Mashura Hossain gave the vote of thanks.

Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, ministers, PM's advisers, parliament members and senior civil and military officials were also present.

Earlier, the premier distributed prizes and certificates among winners of the competitions.