DHAKA: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the country has now set up instances to the world by constructing a mega infrastructure Padma bridge, and also by giving shelter to distressed Ronigya people of Myanmar with its limited resources.
She said, “We have proved, we can.”
The premier made the remarks following the first installation of a span on the country’s biggest infrastructure Padma Bridge project.
The PM was addressing at view exchanging meeting with the leaders of Awami League and its front organizations of the United States at Ritz Carlton hotel on Sunday evening (October 01).
Sheikh Hasina beamed with exaltation and cheer at the first installation of the span. “I am very happy,” she said.
In her speech, Sheikh Hasina recalled her government’s decision to finance the mega project from its own fund in the wake of hostilities and conspiracies from different powerful quarters, including the World Bank, which withdrew its loans from the Bridge on false and fictitious charge of corruption.
“It was a big challenge, a big decision of Bangladesh to finance the project from its own fund as it is linked with the image of the country,” she said.
“We have set up a glaring example in the world by constructing this huge bridge in such a big river with strong current,” said the PM.
Referring to her objective of politics, Sheikh Hasina said, “We do politics for the people, we do work for the people. And we have proved we can.”
She congratulated the Bangladesh people both at home and abroad for extending their support to help complete the dream project that would connect the southern region of the country with the capital.
About the Rohingya refugees, Sheikh Hasina said her administration has taken all necessary measures to provide shelter, food and medicare for distressed Myanmar nationals on humanitarian ground. “Though we are not that rich but we have the heart. After all, they are human being, and we can’t throw out them into the Bay of Bengal,” she said.
She further said that the hapless Rohingya people who fled to Bangladesh will be shifted to an island called “Bhasan Char” from Cox’s Bazar. The civil administration, army, navy and air force, BGB, Police and her party volunteers are working hard to mitigate the sufferings of these people. The international community was amazed to see the generosity of accepting such huge number of people by the Bangladesh government, she added.
Sheikh Hasina with confidence said, “If we could feed 16 crore people, we can also feed additional five to seven lakh people at their time of distress. ‘If necessary, we will eat one meal a day and share another meal with these distressed people. After all we are human being and we stand for mankind.”
Later, the Prime Minister unveiled the bust of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC through video conferencing from her place of residence.
Famous sculptor Stephen Weitzman built the bust made of bronze. Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Mohammad Ziauddin and officials of the embassy were present.
BDST: 1110 HRS, OCT 02, 2017
EHJ/SMS
