Country's democracy now well-protected: PM

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina said on Saturday democracy in Bangladesh is now well-protected and has earned the capability to face any disaster, reports BSS.

"Our economy is now on a solid ground and democracy is well-protected. We've been able to ensure fundamental rights of the people like food, clothes, housing and education," she said.

The PM made the comments while talking to journalists after exchanging Eid greetings with the cross section of people at her official Ganabhaban residence on Saturday afternoon.

The people include party leaders and workers, professionals, judges and foreign diplomats.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is now economically developed. The people's purchasing capacity has increased and living standard has improved significantly.

She said the literacy rate and the people's average life expectancy have gone up. Bangladesh got recognition as a developing country thanks to various steps of her government.

Putting emphasis on maintaining the continuation of the development, the PM said the country had to cross many hurdles to earn this success.

"We've to also cross many barriers in future to advance the country and its natural … we keep capability to face any disaster," she added.

The PM reiterated her determination to build a hunger and poverty-free country by 2021 and developed and prosperous country in South Asia by 2041.

"The people of the country will also celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu in 2020 by establishing Bangladesh as a hunger and poverty-free country," she said.

"We can move on the world stage by keeping our head high. We're building the country in this way," she added.

At the outset of her speech, Sheikh Hasina greeted the countrymen and expatriate Bangladeshis on the occasion of holy Eid-ul-Fitr.

"I want the people will live in joyous environment throughout their life and it's my wish that they will live beautifully," she said.

She also paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu, four national leaders, 3.0 million martyrs and two 0.2 milion mothers and sisters who sacrificed their life for the cause of the country.

Leaders of different political parties, parliament members, freedom fighters, educationists, and different professional and trade bodies exchanged Eid greetings with the prime minister.

Like in previous years, some of the visitors took the programme as an opportunity to draw attention of the top executive of the country to their woes and sufferings and sought her intervention and support to resolve those problems.

Later, Sheikh Hasina exchanged Eid greetings with judges of the Supreme Court, senior civil and military officials and ambassadors and high commissioners of different friendly countries at a separate programme.

Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Choudhury, Chief Justice SyedMahmud Hossain and the chiefs of the three services attended the function.