Serve people with professionalism

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina takes salute during the passing-out parade of the country's first female military paramedics batch at Shaheed Salahuddin Cantonment of Ghatail, Tangail. Photo: PID

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the country's first batch of female military paramedics to serve people with devotion and professionalism rising above their personal interest.

“I hope your today's great pledge of providing others with services will play a positive role in the healthcare of general people,” she said.

Hasina was addressing the oath-taking ceremony and passing out parade of the first female military paramedics batch at the Army Medical Corps Centre and School at Shaheed Salahuddin Cantonment of Ghatail.

She said the participation of women in a challenging profession like the army would play an important role in women empowerment. “Women constitute half of our population, and a complete success in any field is not possible without their spontaneous participation.”

The PM said Bangladesh's position in the women's political empowerment was 7th in a 2013 report of the Global Gender Gap.

“A positive change would come in the whole society if the outlook towards women is changed and they are evaluated socially,” she said.

Through yesterday's passing out parade, Army Medical Corps recruited 879 female soldiers for the first time. This was the largest contingent of female soldiers that passed out at a time in the world history.

Of them, Mosammet Memory Hasan and Shantona Rani Mondol of the female recruit were adjudged the first and second.

BANGABANDHU CANTONMENT

Sheikh Hasina yesterday inaugurated the Bangabandhu Cantonment near the Bangabandhu Bridge at Bhuapur in the same district.

She also unveiled a mural of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as well as the plaques of newly built headquarters of the 98 Composite Brigade Office Building, a 12-storey Officers' Mess Complex, separate multi-storey family residences for the officers and soldiers.

Earlier on her arrival at the new cantonment, Hasina was welcomed by Army Chief General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Mirza Azam, members of parliament and high civil and military officials, among others, were also present.