Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the Bangladesh Chhatra League members to build themselves adhering to the ideology of Bangabandhu, imbued with patriotism and keeping the organisation's tradition in mind to lead the country in the coming years.

"I want to tell Chhatra League that you have to keep your tradition in mind and adapt the ideology of Bangabandhu for building up yourselves with patriotism as future leaders of the country," she said.

The prime minister said this at the 73rd founding anniversary of BCL virtually from her official residence Gono Bhaban. The programme was arranged at Krishibid Institute, Bangladesh.

She said, "You have to lead the country from the frontlines, you have to build yourselves up that way."

In this connection, she reminded the BCL activists that one will be successful if that person could be groomed with ideology.

If their focus is on gaining material wealth, they cannot be successful in life, she said.

"Chhatra League is one of the oldest organisations in the subcontinent… Make it stronger," she said.

"We give highest priority to education because without an educated nation we won't achieve advancement. We'll attain peace through education. Bangladesh will be a non-communal, hunger and poverty-free developed country…" she said.

About Covid-19, she directed all to follow the health guidelines to protect themselves from the virus.

She said the government is doing whatever is needed to keep country's economy running during the pandemic. 

She said that apart from agriculture, the government is attaching same importance to industrialisation as both are essential for the country.

"There might be famine across the globe due to the coronavirus. To avert famine in Bangladesh, it should be ensured that not a single inch of arable land is left uncultivated," she said.

Former BCL leader and Awami League central committee member Dr Mostofa Jalal Mohiuddin, AL presidium member and former BCL leader Jahangir Kabir Nanak, BCL president Al Nahean Khan Joy also spoke at the programme while general secretary Lekhak Bhattacharjee conducted it.