Corrupts won’t be spared: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today once again expressed her firm determination to continue drive against corruption, calling upon the Anti-Corruption Commission to bring the people involved in making money through illegal means to book.
“I want to warn all, whoever corrupts and how powerful they are will not be exempted,” Hasina came up with the warning while addressing to the nation this evening marking the first anniversary of her government formed through the December-30, 2018 general election.
Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, also called upon the Anti-Corruption Commission to bring the corrupt people to book.
“We will have to ensure that no one can snatch the rights of the common people. Alongside, we have undertaken some efforts to build mass awareness against corruption,” she added.
Stressing the need for people’s participation to end the corruption, she said, “If people become aware, corruption will come down automatically.”
Imams and religious leaders are being trained so that no one can mislead the youths misinterpreting the holy religion Islam, she said, reiterating her government’s stance crackdown against militancy, terrorism and drug abuse.
Our goal is to ensure fundamental rights of all
Addressing the nation, the premier said she is running the government with a specific goal to ensure the fundamental rights of all people and their economic freedom.
"We are running the government with a specific goal. And that goal is to ensure the fundamental rights including the economic emancipation of the common people and improvement of their living standard;” the premier said.
Ensuring peace and religious harmony
“We want to build a peaceful society free from jealousy, hatred and conflict, where people from all irrespective of religion, caste and creed will live peacefully. All will be able to practice their respective religions in a due manner,” she said.
Claiming that Awami League is a democratic political party, Hasina said, “We are respectful to the constitution and rule of law as well. We also believe that the people’s mandate is the only way to change power. We welcome any types of the democratic movement, but we will not tolerate any subversive activities based on the illogical ground.”
The government during its last one-year administration tried to provide the highest level of service to the people, the prime minister said.
“We don’t claim that we have become a hundred per cent successful. But there were no shortcomings in our efforts. Capitalising the previous mistakes, we will go forward. New challenges will come and we will cope with the emerging challenges with cooperation of all,” she said.
Unprecedented incidents took place in the two universities in the country last year but the government immediately took administrative and legal action without providing them shelter, she said.
Friendly relations with neighbouring countries
The premier said Bangladesh believes in friendly relations with neighbouring countries which is the main point of the foreign policy that was adopted by the Father of the Nation.
“We believe in friendship to all, hostility to none and thus we didn’t put our legs in the trap of Myanmar despite provocation over Rohingya issue,” she said.
“A case has been lodged with International Court of Justice and we expect that we would get a way to put an end to the crisis permanently,” the prime minister said.
Recalling Bangabandhu, Liberation War martyrs, national leaders
In the beginning of her address, the prime minister recalled the memories of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders, 30 lakh people and two lakh mothers and sisters who sacrificed their lives and honour during the Liberation War in 1971.
The prime minister also commemorated Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, her brothers, Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, Sheikh Russel and her other family members and relatives who were assassinated on August 15, 1975.
Hasina, during her address, also greeted the countrymen on the occasion of the New Year 2020.
The year 2020 is a very important year for the nation as the birth century of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is going to be celebrated throughout the year, she said.
This is not a mere formality, its aim is to regenerate strength of the people and encourage them ahead of the golden jubilee of independence, she said.
Keep faith
Hasina said her aim is to bring smile to the faces of people and called upon the people to keep faith on her to make the effort successful.
“The Father of the Nation has struggled his whole life to ensure the rights of people and to put a smile on their faces. As his daughter, the only goal of my life is to make people smile. Keep faith in me. I want to be one of you,” the prime minister said.
She said, “We have earned our independence with the blood of 30 lakh martyrs. Such a nation can’t stay backside ever. We are not lagging behind. Bangladesh is marching forward on the highway of development.”
“Come forward irrespective of party and belief to take a fresh oath together to build a hunger, poverty, illiteracy free and non-communal country ahead of the birth century of Father of the Nation,” she said.
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