'Honest leadership a must to free country from hunger'

Former adviser to a caretaker government Sultana Kamal yesterday stressed the need for honest and transparent leadership to build a hunger- and poverty-free Bangladesh.
“We have been dreaming for a prosperous and affluent Bangladesh since our liberation war. But we are far away from the goal. Only transparent and honest national leadership can carry us to that end,” she said.
Sultana was addressing a discussion organised by Kochi Kanchar Mela at its auditorium in the city on the occasion of the 98th birth anniversary of noted poet Sufia Kamal, also the ex-adviser's mother.
“Till now hundreds of children die in the country suffering form malnutrition and absence of proper treatment. I urge the government and policy makers to take necessary steps to protect child deaths,” she added.
She hoped that the government would put its best efforts to meet people's dream for establishing a society where equal justice would be ensured for all and no discrimination further be existed.
The former adviser called on the children to nurture good thinking and sustain honest ideology and avoid all kinds of evil deeds.
Speaking as the special guest, Harun-or-Rashid of Sector Commanders' Forum demanded trial of war criminals and urged the government not to make any mistake in the process of bringing the criminals to book.
He also called on the guardians to guide their children properly and make them patriotic.
Khondokar Ibrahim Khaled, director of the organisation, presided over the meeting which was also addressed by poet Sufia Kamal's son Sajed Kamal and daughter Sayeda Kamal, among others.