Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon all not to pay heed to propaganda, saying that ill efforts are being made to mislead the people through it (propaganda).

“We see sometimes that confusion is created by spreading propaganda. So I would like to tell everybody not to pay heed to this propaganda,” she said.

The premier said various kinds of propaganda regarding onion, salt, etc are publicized to confuse the people.

“I know that it will happen and it’s normal. But we will have to move by facing it and we are moving in this way,” she said.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing a reception at the Army Multipurpose Complex at Dhaka Cantonment this morning.

Her comments came as a vested quarter is now engaged in the country in spreading various types of propaganda including price hike of essential commodities like onion, salt and rice to misguide the people.

The Prime Minister accorded the reception to the successors of Birshreshthos and other gallantry award-recipient freedom fighters of the armed forces on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day-2019.

The Prime Minister said the production of fishes and vegetables has increased manifold and the government is now giving special attention to food and nutrition security.

“We’re providing 30 types of medicines to the people free of cost through the community clinics. We’ve undertaken proper programs to fulfill the basic needs of the people and we’ll continue it,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina urged the freedom fighters to tell the story of the great liberation war to their children, grandchildren and local people.

“We’re constructing Muktijoddha Complex in all upazilas so that the evidence of the liberation war in the respective areas is not destroyed and the children of the next generation could know the real history of the war,” she said.

She continued: “We’re a victorious nation as we triumphed victory in the liberation war and as a victorious nation, generations after generations can know that Bangalee nation can never be defeated.”

“Through it the sense of self dignity of the next generations will be built and they will learn moving by keeping their heads high,” she added.

Referring to Bangabandhu’s historic March 7 speech, the Prime Minister said the great leader in his fiery speech uttered that none will be able to suppress the Bangalee nation. “None could suppress the Bangalee nation in the past and won’t do it in future,” she said.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh earned honor in the world through the liberation war in 1971. “But after the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975, the country lost this honor and it was turned into a nation of killers, coup and conspiracies,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said 19 coups took place and many armed forces members were killed and freedom fighters were brutally murdered and tortured at that time.

“The history of the liberation war was distorted and the name of the Father of the Nation was also erased,” she said.

“But assuming office after 21 years, we were able to bring back the glorious tales of the liberation war. We were also able to hold the trial of the killers of Bangabandhu and war criminals,” she said.

The Prime Minister said she thinks that the people of Bangladesh were enlightened afresh on the world stage by removing the dark cloud that gripped the sky of the country after 1975.

“The honor that the country earned in 1971 was trampled by the dust in 1975. Now I can at least claim that Bangladesh is a country of honor before the entire world,” she said.

The Prime Minister said as a dignified nation it has consolidated its position in the world through massive development. “We’re taking Bangladesh forward by holding the ideology of Bangabandhu in the hearts and following his footsteps,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina reiterated her aim to build Bangladesh as a hunger and poverty-free Sonar Bangla as dreamt by the Father of the Nation.

“Bangladesh has graduated to a developing country from a least developed one and it’s our vow that we’ll surely materialize the dream of Bangabandhu Insha Allah,” she said.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has earned independence in exchange for blood of millions of martyrs, and their sacrifices cannot go in vain.

Sheikh Hasina also renewed her firm determination to do everything necessary for the welfare of the freedom fighters and their successors.

“We’re pledge-bound to ensure welfare and socioeconomic prosperity of the valiant freedom fighters. We’re working to establish their highest dignity and honor as well as recognize their contributions to the war of liberation,” she said.

The Prime Minister said her government is implementing massive programs to ensure welfare of the freedom fighters.

In this regard, she highlighted construction of Muktijoddha Complex in all districts and upazilas of the country, preservation of places that carry the memory of war and construction of liberation war museums.

Sheikh Hasina said the great task of safeguarding the country’s independence and sovereignty has been vested in the armed forces.

Apart from performing this sacred responsibility, she said, the members of the patriotic armed forces have been continuously extending necessary support to various fields including combating natural disasters, constructing infrastructures and maintaining law and order.

“That’s why, we’re implementing various welfare-oriented programs forthe armed forces including modernization as well as physical and infrastructural development,” she said.

The Prime Minister thanked the Armed Forces Division, Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Air Force for taking initiatives to formally honor the freedom fighters.

She expressed her firm belief that the armed forces will continue their welfare-oriented programs for the distressed and insolvent freedom fighters and their family members.

At the outset of her speech, Sheikh Hasina extended her heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all members of the armed forces on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day.

She said on this historic day, the fearless armed forces members and mass people of the country launched a coordinated attack together against the Pakistani occupation forces.

“As a result our victory was sped up and we earned independent and sovereign Bangladesh,” she said.

Earlier, the Prime Minister presented honorarium cheques and gifts to the successors of seven Birshreshthos as well as other gallantry award-recipient freedom fighters.

She also handed over “Bishistho Seba Padak” to Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed, as well as peacetime “Bahini Padak” to nine army members, two navy members and three air force members.

Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division (AFD) Lt Gen Md Mahfuzur Rahman delivered the welcome address at the function.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, PM’s Security Advisor Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Abu Mozaffar Mohiuddin Mohammad Aurangzeb Chowdhury and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat and high civil and military officials were present.

As many as 101 gallantry-award recipient freedom fighters and their heirs including close relatives of seven Birshreshthos joined the function.

Source: BSS

AH