Will act tough to save people
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government would take tougher steps to save lives of people amid the massive surge in the Covid-19 infection and deaths in the last few days.
"Coronavirus has appeared as a pandemic. We are witnessing the blow. Although we have taken some measures to fight the pandemic, we might have to take tougher steps in future to save lives of the people and we must do it," she said.
The PM was addressing the concluding ceremony of the 71st foundation training course for fresh cadre service officers through a video conference from the Gono Bhaban.
The participants were connected to the event from the Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC) and several other training centres.
Hasina asked the fresh officers to be cautious in maintaining health guidelines to protect themselves and others from Covid-19.
"After going to your workplace, you all have to give special focus so that people abide by the health guidelines."
The PM reiterated her call to the people to follow health protocols, particularly wearing masks, as she described it as the most important thing to protect oneself and others nearby.
"The life and livelihoods of the people must go on. We cannot inflict the people with sufferings. But maintaining health guidelines is crucially important," she said.
Hasina suggested all inhale steam from hot water after returning home and gargle which effectively work against the virus.
Briefly highlighting the measures taken by her government for the overall development of the country, the premier said they have reduced poverty to 20 percent from 41 percent and achieved 8.15 percent GDP growth in the last 12 years.
Describing the fresh cadre service officers as soldiers of 2041, she said, "You all have to work with patriotism and the mentality of providing service to the people being imbued with the spirit of Liberation War. You have to build the country with the spirit of Liberation War."
The PM said people of Bangladesh -- including the poor, farmers, labourers -- are the owners of the country. "I want you [fresh officers] to serve the people keeping this in mind."
Hasina said her government has been awarding fellowships, scholarships and donations for higher degree and higher training of public servants.
Stating that the government is developing all training centres across the country, the PM said her government has taken a project to develop the BPATC with all modern facilities.
Once the project is completed, around 2,000 government officers will be able to take training at a time at the BPATC, she added.
The premier said the tenure of the six-month training course would be extended further.
Hasina said her government has been pursuing development activities in such a way that no region of the country is deprived of development.
Noting that her government will give home to every homeless and landless people, she asked the fresh officers to work with sincerity in this regard.
State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain, and Senior Secretary Shaikh Yusuf Harun of the public administration ministry, also spoke on the occasion.
The state minister, on behalf of the PM, later handed certificates to the officers who secured top three positions in the training course.
BPATC Rector (secretary) Rakib Hossain presented the results of the training course to the PM and administered oath to 307 fresh officers, including 79 females.
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