Hindustan Surkhiyan Desk: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked the Armed Forces to play the due role in advancing the nation as well as maintaining democratic and constitutional stability in the country.
“Bangladesh Armed Forces are making significant contributions to peacekeeping in various countries under the emblem of UN mission. The Armed Forces will also have to play an important role in the progress of the nation and in maintaining democratic and constitutional stability so that we can keep up the country’s ongoing trend of development,” she said.
The prime minister said this while delivering her speech at the graduation ceremony of Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) 2018-2019 at Sheikh Hasina Complex of Mirpur Cantonment in the city.
Sheikh Hasina said the Armed Forces have earned name and fame in foreign lands with their honesty and professional efficiency.
She said the Armed Forces are the symbol of the country’s independence and sovereignty.
“Alongside the noble responsibility of protecting our sovereignty, the members of our patriotic Armed Forces are also making significant contributions to the fields of tackling any crisis and disasters, construction of infrastructures, socio-economic development and maintaining law and order,” the PM added.
Mentioning that her government wants to build Bangladesh as developed and prosperous country, she said the Armed Forces must continue its contributions to various arena in this development journey.
Talking about the country’s development, Hasina said her government has accomplished tremendous developments activities in all sectors in the last 10 years. “People are now enjoying the fruits of our development programmes. Bangladesh is now a role model of development in the world.”
“Being highly happy with the development works of her government, have made us victorious again in the 11th parliamentary election. “We’ll fully implement all the pledges made to the country’s people,” said the prime minister.
She said the government has a plan to set up a nuclear power plant in the country’s southern region on completion of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project.
About Padma Bridge project, Hasina said the World Bank has failed to prove corruption allegation brought against her government.
Bangladesh started constructing the Padma Bridge with 100 per cent finance from own fund. “I think that this decision has changed the image of Bangladesh in the entire world. We’ve proved that we also can do,” she added.
Hasina extended her sincere felicitations to all the graduates of DSCSC 2018-2019 course, and wished success in their professional, social and family life.
Pointing at the graduating officers, she said, “This course will make you more confident in discharging assigned duties and in facing any challenge more efficiently. You all be prepared to undertake a higher leadership role. You all will perform your duties with integrity.”
Noting that a total of 11 female officers are graduated this year, the prime minister said it is encouraging to see the remarkable number of female officers graduating every year. “I hope, the enrolment of female officers will augment in the future.”
Sheikh Hasina said Father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman put special emphasis on building disciplined and professional Armed Forces for independent Bangladesh. In line with it, this College was established for the higher training of Armed Forces officers.
Mentioning that the world is moving forward today she said, “We’ll have to take training programmes keeping consistency with it (the changing world).”
Pointing at the overseas graduates, the prime minister said Bangladesh is a peace-loving country and its trust and respect for world peace is aptly echoed in its foreign policy – ‘Friendship to all and malice to none on the basis of equality’.
“We, thus, continue to maintain warm and friendly ties with your countries,” she said.
Commandant of the College Major General Md Enayet Ullah delivered the welcome speech.
A total of 215 officers, including 118 officers from Army, 29 from Navy and 23 from Air Force, and 45 overseas officers from 19 countries of the world graduated from this college this year. The 19 countries include the USA, China, India, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister distributed the certificates among the graduating officers.
On her arrival, the Prime Minister was received by the Commandant of the college.
The college was set up aiming to prepare selected mid-level officers of the three Services for the assumption of increasing responsibilities both in command and staff appointments.
So far, 3,902 Bangladeshi officers, five police officers and 1,111 overseas officers from 42 friendly countries have graduated from this college.
