Govt for modern, efficient forces
Govt for modern, efficient forces
PM at Armed Forces Day reception
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government wants to see the armed forces as disciplined, efficient, modern and well-equipped units.
The government will do whatever is needed to achieve this, she told a reception at the Senakunja at Dhaka Cantonment marking the Bangladesh Armed Forces Day 2014.
The armed forces, glorying in the spirit of the Liberation War, are a pride for the nation, she added.
The PM hoped the armed forces would make more contributions to the nation building activities maintaining discipline and professional efficiency.
Hasina said her government has planned building up the armed forces capable of facing the challenges of the 21st century. Accordingly, the forces are being trained in modern training method and given modern arms, she added.
She congratulated all the armed forces members on the Armed Forces Day and conveyed her best wishes to them for their continuous progress, peace, happiness and prosperity.
The Armed Forces Day, she said, has a glorious significance in the history of Liberation War. On this day in 1971, the valiant fighters of the army, navy and air force launched a joint attack on the occupation force.
Their attack compelled the occupation force to surrender and Bangladesh was born as an independent and sovereign country, she mentioned.
The PM paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders and all martyrs of the Liberation War and prayed for the eternal peace of their departed souls.
She also recalled the sacrifice of around two lakh women who were oppressed by the occupation forces and conveyed sympathy to the family members of the martyred and wounded freedom fighters.
Hasina said members of the armed forces have set a unique example of patriotism through their services during natural disasters and internal crisis side by side protecting the country's independence and sovereignty.
Besides, the armed forces are playing a remarkable role in building a digital Bangladesh, she pointed out.
The armed forces, she said, earned recognition from the international arena for maintaining peace, stability and security. Bangladesh is now the highest peacekeeper contributing country to the United Nations. Many Bangladeshi peacekeepers have embraced martyrdom while performing duties for world peace, mentioned the PM.
After addressing the audience, the premier exchanged pleasantries with top army officials and their family members, diplomats and other guests.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Chief Justice M Mozammel Hossain, former president H M Ershad, cabinet members, lawmakers, chiefs of the three services, leaders of different political parties, professionals and diplomats were present.
GOVE TO MODERNISE ARMED FORCES
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday reiterated her government's firm resolve to further strengthen the armed forces for safeguarding the country's hard-earned independence and sovereignty.
She was addressing a reception accorded to the family members of the Bir Sreshthas and selected recipients of gallantry awards, including Bir Uttam, Bir Bikram and Bir Pratik, marking the Armed Forces Day 2014.
“Our government has taken steps for further development and modernisation of the armed forces so that they can move ahead keeping pace with the entire world,” she mentioned.
Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division (AFD) Lt Gen Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Haque delivered the welcome address at the function at the AFD premises.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral M Farid Habib, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari and high civil and military officials were present.