PM commissions warship ‘Sangram’
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Bangladesh Navy needs to be further strengthened with modern technology-based knowledge to protect the country's vast sea area and its resources.
She was commissioning a warship "BNS Sangram" from her official residence Gono Bhaban in the capital through a video conference.
The premier simultaneously said her government has attached priority on protecting the sea areas and utilising its huge resources in economy.
She said, "It is true that we want peace but at the same time we have to remain well prepared to face any attack. So, we want to build modern technology-based organisations to cope with the modern age."
The government has formulated a perspective plan called "Forces Goal 2030" in light with the "Defence Policy" adopted by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1974 and started faster implementation accordingly to make the armed forces time worthy, said Hasina.
"We have already purchased many modern equipment including frigate and ships for Bangladesh Navy. I first handed over the Khulna Shipyard to the navy. I also handed over two dry docks of Narayanganj and Chattogram to the navy," she said.
The PM said Bangladesh Navy has been transformed into a full-fledged three-dimensional force with inclusion two submarines in the force.
She hoped that the navy personnel would discharge their duties to safeguard the country's maritime boundaries with utmost sincerity.
The prime minister said Bangladesh has achieved its rights in its vast sea areas after winning legal battle in the International Court against its two neighbours -- India and Myanmar -- with maintaining friendly relations with them.
She said Bangabandhu first took the initiative of establishing legal rights of Bangladesh in its sea areas soon after the independence, but the 1975 post governments did nothing to this end.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Aurangzeb Chowdhury formally handed over the "commissioning forman" of the ship to Capt Arifur Rahman on behalf of the prime minister at BNS Issa Khan Naval Base, Chattogram.
A video documentary on the BNS Sangram was screened on the occasion.
The BNS Sangram will leave Bangladesh for Lebanon today to take part in the peacekeeping mission.
The prime minister urged the navy personnel to carry out their duties with utmost sincerity and professionalism in the peace keeping mission in Lebanon.
She also recalled the glorious contribution of the navy to the 1971 Liberation War.