Act out of love for country, people: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday called upon the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to act always while in service and out of love for the country and its people.

She also urged all to stay alert during the second wave of Covid-19 and follow the health guidelines to remain safe from this deadly disease.

Reiterating her commitment in fighting the pandemic, she said the government has already made advance payment to get coronavirus vaccine to protect the people from the fatal disease.

She made the statement while attending the closing out parade of the BGB's 95th batch via videoconferencing from Ganabhaban on Saturday. The parade was held at BGB training Centre and College at Satkania in Chattogram.

"We have to fulfil our responsibilities with the attitude to serve the country and the nation," Hasina said. "You must love the country and its people. You must work for people. Remember, the better this country is economically, the better off your families will be."

The Awami League chief recalled the speech delivered by her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on December 5 in 1974 while participating in the concluding parade of the border security force's third batch of recruits.

In that speech, Bangabandhu highlighted the 'great duty' that had been entrusted on them and said, as the premier quoted, "My order to you is to put an end to smuggling. I believe you can. I have faith in you. Remember that smugglers have no caste, no religion. They are beasts under the guise of human beings. They send the resources of this country abroad out of greed for a small amount of money."

Calling on the BGB personnel to abide by the directives given by the Father of the Nation, Hasina said: "I hope you will work with sincerity to protect our sovereignty and freedom as well as to prevent such misdeeds."

The Prime Minister said the government has taken a plan to recruit 15,000 more manpower in phases. As part of the smart border management, ultramodern surveillance equipment, ATV and modern APC, helicopter, vehicle scanner and speedboat have been inducted apart from installing new BOPs and BSPs.

"We've turned BGB as a three-dimensional force. BGB now attains its capacity to discharge its duties in water, land and air," she added.

She said the Awami League government is continuing its efforts to establish BGB as an international standard and modern border security force through its development and modernisation. "For that we've adopted the Border Guard Bangladesh Vision 2041."

She asked the BGB personnel to discharge their duties and responsibilities adopting a mentality of service towards the country and nation.

The country has been liberated with an ideology in mind and all have to uphold that, she added, calling upon the new recruits to obey rules of the force. "Discipline is very important for any force. Always remember that discipline is most important for any force."

She asked the BGB personnel to carry out the orders of seniors and be fearless in discharging duties, and work having sympathy for juniors.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Senior Secretary of Public Security Division of Home Ministry Mostafa Kamal Uddin also spoke virtually at the programme from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

BGB Director General Major General Md Shafeenul Islam delivered the welcome speech.

The BGB DG handed over awards on behalf of the Prime Minister among the trainees for their outstanding performance during the training programme.

A total of 2,524 new recruits of BGB paraded at the closing out ceremony.

Md Khokon Molla was awarded as the best recruit and Hasina Akter Bithi was the best firer.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina praised Bithi for her outstanding performance. Bithi is the first female soldier who achieved such excellence.

[email protected]