Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday launched a three-day countrywide ‘Development Fair’ with a clarion call to all to help her government implement its development programmes to change the socioeconomic status of the people.
“I seek your utmost co-operation so that our development programmes can be implemented properly,” she said.
The Prime Minister said this in her introductory speech at the inaugural programme of the three-day ‘Development Fair’ at sub-district and district levels across the country from her official residence Ganobhaban through a videoconference, marking the Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Sheikh Hasina also put emphasis on dissemination of information of the ongoing development programmes and those to be taken in the future among the people of the country.
“Our aim is to develop the country, simplify the life and improve the living standard of people through using modern technologies...we’re achieving that goal,” she said.
To her government, the Prime Minister said, development means ensuring development of the people — rural and grassroots ones.
“Our development efforts are going on to take the country to a dignified position in the world.”
The main objective of the fair is to inform the country’s people about the development initiatives and the ongoing programmes the government has taken to build Bangladesh as a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041.
Similar fairs will also be held abroad with a view to ensuring the participation of Bangladeshi expatriates in the development initiatives taken by the present government.
The Prime Minister said the people of the country are now getting the benefits of the measures like providing free textbooks, stipends and other assistance to create an educated nation which are playing a vital role in removing poverty from the country.
Education has been made multifaceted one through setting up specialised universities while steps are also being made to set up universities under public or private initiatives at every district of the country, she said.
Steps have also been taken to take technological facilities and digital technology to people, the Prime Minister said adding that such move has made the lives and livelihood of the common people easier.
Hasina said her government wants to see every house illuminated with the light of education.
“No children will remain outside the purview of education, and no one will remain away from the touch of development.”
Later, she exchanged views with local public representatives, government officials, cross-section of people, including the beneficiaries of One House One Farm project, getting connected with Habiganj, Barguna, Chandpur, Jhenidah and Gaibandha districts through the videoconference.
During the views exchange, the Prime Minister highly appreciated the initiative of the local administrations to rehabilitate beggars with one-day salaries of the government officials working there.
She assured them of providing assistance from the Prime Minister’s Relief fund to make the initiative more successful.
Hasina also asked the Deputy Commissioners to find out people left homeless due to river erosion or any other reasons and make a list in this regard so that the government can build houses to rehabilitate them properly.
She announced that the Balashia-Bahaduarabad ferry service will come into operation next month to lessen the sufferings of the people of the northern region.
The Prime Minister mentioned that the government is also considering whether there could be built any tunnel there to ease communications further.
While talking to the people of Chandpur, Hasina asked the officials concerned to take measures against dragnet production and its sale to protect the delicious Hilsa fish.
She also directed Barguna Deputy Commissioner to take necessary measures to develop ‘tourism industries’ in potential areas of the district.
Local Government and Co-operatives Minister Engineer Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu, PM’s adviser HT Imam, Deputy Speaker of parliament Fazle Rabbi Mia were present at Ganobhaban.
Principal Secretary M Nojibur Rahman moderated the function, while SDG Chief Coordinator Abul Kalam Azad delivered the welcome address.
A video highlighting the government’s development activities was also screened on the occasion.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launching the countrywide ‘Development Fair’ yesterday as Local Government and Co-operatives Minister Engineer Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu and Deputy Speaker of parliament Fazle Rabbi Mia look on.
