Make efforts to further brighten country’s dignity: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon the Navy personnel to work with honesty, sincerity and integrity for further brightening the country’s honour and dignity after being imbued with the spirit of sacrifice.

“You people who are going to join your jobs after completion of the training, should bear in mind that you would have to work with honesty, utmost sincerity and integrity for further brightening the country’s honour and dignity after being imbued with the spirit of sacrifice,” she said.

She said this while addressing a ceremony at the parade ground of the Bangladesh Naval Academy (BNA), Chattogram marking the President Parade 2019 of the passing out cadets of ‘Midshipman-2017 AAlfa’ and ‘Direct Entry Officer-2019 bravo’ courses arranged by the Bangladesh Naval Academy.

The premier reminded the navy personnel that they have taken oath to do so.

In this context, Sheikh Hasina recalled the historic directives to the Navy cadets that the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu spelled out at the celebration of Bangladesh Navy Day on 10 December 1974.

She quoted Bangabandhu as saying, "My country people have performed my directives and thus Bangladesh has become an independent state. If you are bound to my deeds, if you do follow the discipline, if you keep faith upon the God, stand against the unlawful activities, and be honest, Insha-Allah, you will see ‘Sonar Bangla’ will be the ‘Sonar Bangla'”.

The premier said, “There are huge potential of the sea areas and we have to tap around the potential of marine resources in the country’s economy.”

She earlier distributed various prizes among 72 promising young officers including 61 midshipmen of 2017/A batch and 11 direct entry officers of 2019/B batch who are stepping out of the Academy and entering into naval career after successful completion of the courses. Seven of them are women and two midshipmen are from the Maldives.

Midshipman Raiyan Rahman of the 2017/A batch has been awarded “Sword of Honour” as he has achieved the highest standard at all sector.

Besides, Midshipman Md Saidis Sacline Miran has got the second highest award “Navy Chief Gold Medal and acting sub lieutenant Md Kamruzzaman from 2019/B batch of direct entry officers got the third highest award ” Beer Shrestha Ruhul Amin Gold Medal” for outstanding performance.

She greeted the navy officers and said, “You will be the future leaders of this Navy to safeguard our motherland.”

Information Minister and newly elected Joint General Secretary of the Awami League Dr Hasan Mahmud, Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, AL Presidium Member Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Major General (retd) Mohammad Shubid Ali Bhuiyan and Deputy Minister of Education Barrister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury (Nowfel), among others were present on the occasion.

Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Aurangzeb Chowdhury, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and, civil and military officials were present on the occasion.