Help build terrorism-, graft-free Bangladesh: Azad
A woman admires clothes at a stall at the annual Ananda Mela -2010 at Dhaka Officers' Club in the city yesterday. Officers' Club Mahila Committee organised the event.Photo: STAR
Information Minister Abdul Kalam Azad yesterday called for extending cooperation to build a terrorism-, corruption- and poverty-free Bangladesh by contributing from their respective positions.
"Cooperation of women is necessary to march forward the nation because half of country's population is women," he said.
Azad was addressing the inaugural function of annual 'Ananda Mela-2010' organised by Officers' Club Mahila Committee at Bailey Road in the city.
Chaired by president of the Mahila Committee Begum Rehana Aziz, the function was also addressed by general secretary of Officers' Club Abu Alam Mohammad Shaheed Khan and General Secretary of Mahila Committee Prof Fahima Khatun.
The minister urged the women to cooperate with the government to implement the vision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to make Bangladesh a middle income country by 2021.
He said, "a number of women are performing responsibility of various important ministries and they are performing well. We believe in empowerment of women," he added.
"The government is considering to raise 33 percent seats reserved for women in parliament to ensure more participation of women in politics," Azad said.
Referring to PM's visit to India, he said in the context of present world, progress is not possible until good relations with the neighbouring countries exist.
Later, the minister inaugurated the 'Ananda Mela' by releasing pigeons.
The mela (fair) will remain open for public from 10:00am to 9:00pm everyday until January 16.
A total of 94 stalls have been set up in the fair to showcase different kinds of products including cottage and handicrafts.
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