Bangladesh won't bow down to any country or donor: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today unequivocally said Bangladesh as a sovereign country would not bow its head to any foreign country or donors as it is not dependent on them to make its way to cherished prosperity.

Pointing out the World Bank's false allegation of corruption in Padma Bridge Project, the premier said, "Padma Bridge issue is a big lesson for those who want to blame us recurrently to keep us in pressure to bow our heads to them."

"The World Bank's allegation of corruption against us was a blunt lie which has been proved in the Federal Court of Canada," she said adding that her challenge to the bank and decision to construct the Padma Bridge with own finance has brightened Bangladesh's image, giving them a message that they should not neglect Bangladesh.

The prime minister said this while addressing the Independence Award 2017 handing over ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.

"In 2008 election we have floated our charter for changing days with a goal to celebrate the golden jubilee of independence as a middle income country by 2021. We certainly don't want to beg to others to celebrate our golden jubilee," Sheikh Hasina said.

"We are working with the aim to celebrate of independence with honour and dignity," she added saying Bangladesh is going ahead and it will continue as we have earned capacity to implement ninety percent of our development programme with our own resources.

This year the government named Bangladesh Air Force and 15 persons for this year’s Independence Award, the highest state award given by the government of Bangladesh to individuals and organisations for their outstanding contributions in the categories of War of Liberation, the Language Movement, Education, Literature, Journalism, Public Service, Science and Technology, Medical Science, Social Science, Music, Sports, Fine Arts and Rural Development.