Let children learn true history of independence: PM

President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina observe solemn silence after placing wreaths at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Tungipara yesterday, marking the 92nd birth anniversary of Father of the Nation. Photo: PMO

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday underscored the need for bringing up children in the spirit of the Liberation War and projecting the real history of the country's independence before them.
“The Liberation War is the great pride of the nation. Children should know its undistorted history”, Hasina said as she inaugurated a number of programmes, which mark the 92nd birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu in Tungipara.
“Today's children are the future of the country. So we need to bring them up with good education. The present government is implementing various measures to this end”.
Hasina said her government has been distributing free textbooks up to the secondary level and introduced school feeding programmes to check dropout to ensure education for all.
In addition, she said, a law has been enacted to provide assistance to poor and meritorious students to continue their study up to degree level.
Reminding the children of Bangabandhu's compassion for children, Hasina asked children to respect seniors and love the poor and challenged children. “Help them …don't ignore them”.
Hasina then unveiled the covers of seven books and a DVD on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and distributed the prizes of a cultural competition among the winning children.
She also witnessed a colourful cultural programme.
The prime minister congratulated Bangladesh national cricket team for its brilliant victory over India in Asia Cup Friday and hailed India's Sachin Tendulkar for achieving his scoring 100 centuries in international cricket.
Earlier, President M Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu, marking his 92nd birth anniversary.
A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a guard of honour.
After placing wreaths, the president and the prime minister stood for some time in solemn silence in front of the mausoleum and offered prayers.
Deputy leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni and Civil and Tourism Minister Faruk Khan, parliament members, the chiefs of the three services and high civil and military officials attended the programme.
Prime Minister's younger sister Sheikh Rehana, Awami League advisory council members Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, presidium members Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Qazi Jafarullah, organising secretary Bahauddin Nasim and central leaders were present.
The prime minister, also president of Bangladesh Awami League, placed wreaths at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu on behalf of the party.
President Zillur Rahman signed the visitors' book there.
Earlier, the premier placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at 32 Dhanmondi Bangabandhu Museum in the capital, adds Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).