Terming the Armed Forces as the symbol of the country’s unity and sovereignty, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said her government wants skilled, disciplined, well-equipped and strong Armed Forces. “Our government has a very clear and transparent stance about the Armed Forces, and we want skilled, disciplined, well-equipped and strong Armed Forces,” she said. The Prime Minister was addressing the Regimental Commanders Conference-2013 of Bangladesh Army at Rajshahi Cantonment. High Military officials were present on the occasion.
Hasina also assured the senior military officials that as head of the government and Defense Minister she is alert and aware about her government’s duties and responsibilities towards the Armed Forces.
She also expressed her firm belief that the members of the Armed Forces would perform their sacred duty of protecting the sovereignty of the country and upholding the dignity of the nation with deep patriotism and integrity.
Expressing her high hope that the Armed Forces and the Bangladesh Army would be built as a skilled organisation like a national resource based on their self entity, she said, “The Armed Forces would emerge as a firm ‘institution’ and it will be operated as per its own laws, rules and regulations.”
The Prime Minister said the Bangladesh Infantry Regiment, Rajshahi (BIRR) is one of the important and traditional regiments of Bangladesh Army which has been playing a vital role in national life through professional efficiency and high standard of training since its inception in 2001.
She said, “As commanders of this regiment, you’ve great responsibility…the great responsibility of protecting the sovereignty and national dignity is bestowed upon you and it’s my firm belief that you would discharge your duties with firm determination and be engaged round the clock for enriching the pride and tradition of the regiment gradually through your relentless efforts, hard labour and dutifulness.”
Sheikh Hasina said innovating power, transparent outlook, mutual respects, brotherhood and strict discipline are a must for the development of the regiment, and hoped that the regiment through their professional efficiency will earn more reputation for the nation.
Apart from standing beside the countrymen during their needs, the contributions of this BIRR are recognised internationally as well, she added.
Hasina said the reputation of Bangladesh Army has now expanded to the international arena.
For its high level professionalism Bangladesh is now one of the biggest peacekeeper-sending countries in the world, she added.
The premier went on: “It is a matter of pride for the nation that country’s Armed Forces are performing their duties with utmost efficiency and upholding their goodwill in peace keeping missions across the globe.”
The Prime Minister said after assuming office, her government has established transparency, accountability and discipline in all fields as it established the voting rights of the common people.
To make the war of independence fruitful and reach its benefits to the doorstep of common people, she said everyone would have to take the responsibility to this end.
Mentioning that over some 5,691 elections at different tiers were held during the tenure of the present government with some 63,909 public representatives being elected, the Prime Minister claimed that each and every election was held in a free, fair and neutral manner and no allegation was raised against any of these elections.
“Such peaceful elections were not held during the tenure of any government in the past and there was no post-election violence,” she added.
Hasina said the Election Commission has been strengthened apart from ensuring its financial autonomy while environment has been created so that the Commission could work freely and fairly.
She also highlighted various successes of her government in education, health, agriculture, social safety net, power generation, poverty alleviation, infrastructure development and advancement in building Digital Bangladesh.
-With The Independent input
