Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government's goal was to ensure equal rights for all, irrespective of their religion and caste.

“There should be equal rights for all people, irrespective of their religion, race, caste and ethnic community. We want to ensure this and we certainly will. It's our goal,” she said.

The PM said this while speaking at a programme organised at the Prime Minister's Office to distribute scholarships among meritorious students of small ethnic groups

The scholarships were given as part of a project titled –“Development Assistance for the Small Ethnic Communities Living in Plain Land”, initiated by the Prime Minister's Office in 1996. The project aims to support students of ethnic communities living in plain land.

The scholarship will help the students pursue higher studies and flourish their talent, Hasina said.

This year, some 500 students -- 320 male and 180 female -- were given Tk 25,000 each as scholarships.

Hasina urged those of small ethnic communities to not “feel neglected”, adding that her government's goal was to change the fate of the country's people and give them decent livelihoods.

Emphasising on conserving the diversity of lifestyle among ethnic groups, the PM urged them to uphold their own culture and uniqueness.

She hoped that the participation in state affairs by those from the ethnic communities would increase in the future.

Education Minister Dipu Moni, PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan and Director General (admin) Khalilur Rahman also spoke at the ceremony, which was presided over by Principal Secretary to the PM Md Nojibur Rahman.

On behalf of the scholarship recipients, A Myat, from the Rakhine community of Barguna district and a student of Bangladesh University of Textile Engineering (BUTEX), also spoke on the occasion.