Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government was trying to build a future where the children would have a beautiful, secure and prosperous life.

"Today's children are the leaders of the future. We want to groom our children that way. They'll work for the country imbued with patriotism and love," she told a rally of children and juveniles at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on the occasion of the Independence and National Day.

She said the government launched satellite Bangabandhu-1 and introduced multimedia classrooms across the country. It was also providing free textbooks and stipends for students.

"You have to take the country forward and build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh," she told the children. "It was the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."

She said the government wanted to free the country from terrorism, militancy and drugs.

The PM urged parents, guardians, teachers and religious clerics to convey the bad effects of drugs, terrorism and militancy to the children.

She asked the children to focus on study, sports, cultural activities and competitions. "Only education is not enough," she said, noting that good health of children is also necessary.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opens a rally of children and juveniles by releasing a pigeon at the city's Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday, marking the Independence and National Day. Photo: BSS

"Their merits and creativity have to be flourished. They will lead a beautiful life. That is our aim. We have started various types of competitions across the country for that purpose," she said.

She briefly described various steps of the government for flourishing children as worthy citizens of the country.

The premier also highlighted various steps taken by Bangabandhu to reconstruct a war-ravaged country and for the welfare of children and juveniles during his three-and-a-half-year tenure.

The Dhaka district administration organised the rally where Deputy Commissioner Abu Saleh Mohammed Ferdous Khan gave the vote of thanks.

Before her speech, Hasina inspected a parade comprising various teams of students of the district schools and colleges.

She later took salute from a march-past by the students of various schools.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq was present there. The prime minister enjoyed a colourful performance of the students and various artistes.

She inaugurated the rally by releasing pigeons, the symbol of peace, and balloons.

The PM also distributed prizes among the winners of the competition on singing the national anthem in appropriate tone and tune.

On the occasion, the galleries of Bangabandhu National Stadium was decorated with portraits of Father of the Nation, four national leaders, bir shresthas, photographs of the prime minister and natural beauties of Bangladesh.