(1) Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnesses a spectacular fly-past and aerobatics show displayed by the Bangladesh Air Force from the Padma Bridge after its inauguration (2) Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir presents a giant Tk100 commemorative note to the premier on this occasion (3) The Prime Minister shows off a commemorative postage stamp after releasing it (4) Bangladesh Police brought out a procession marking opening of the iconic bridge (5) The PM's convoy crossing the bridge towards Jajira point (6) The premier addressing a public meeting at Kathalbari in Shibchar upazila of Madaripur district — PID and Focus Bangla photos KATHALBARI, June 25 (UNB): Basking in the success of bridging the mighty Padma River with the country's longest bridge, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said it has been an appropriate reply to the conspirators.
"Through the construction of Padma Bridge with our own funds, we've been able to give a befitting reply to those who tried to obstruct it," she said while addressing a mammoth public meeting at Kathalbari under Shibchar upazila of Madaripur district.
PM Hasina reached the meeting venue shortly after opening the 6.15-kilometre Padma Bridge at a colourful ceremony at its northern Mawa end. She paid toll of Tk 750 before driving through the dream bridge where she stood midway for moments to witness the beauty of the river's choppy water.
The public meeting, organised by Awami League (AL), to mark the inauguration of Padma Bridge turned into a human sea with hundreds of thousands of jubilant people thronging from all sides.
Hasina, also the AL president, once again vowed that she is ready to make any sacrifice for the development of the country and welfare of the people.
"I am always ready to make any sacrifice to establish your rights and change your destiny. I've promised it before you. If needed, I'll sacrifice my own life for you," she told the rally amid thunderous clapping and chants of "Joy Bangla" and "Joy Bangabandhu."
The premier said she will work to ensure a better living standard for the next generations.
Noting that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had achieved independence for the people of Bangladesh, she said her government will build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous Sonar Bangla.
"I'll ensure that the children of our country will get more improved lives. It's my promise to you," she added.
The PM reached the rally venue around 12:50 pm after opening the double-deck road and rail-bridge by unveiling the plaque and murals at both Mawa and Jajira ends.
The jubilant crowd greeted the PM chanting full-throated slogans like "Sheikh Hasina Egiye Chalo, Amra Asi Tomar Sathe" (Go forward Hasina, we are with you).
Before her arrival at the rally, several helicopters showered colourful and glittered papers from the sky over the venue as people burst into joy.
People from all walks of life, leaders and activists of AL and its associate bodies had been gathering at the rally venue since early morning.
The gathering wore a festive look when people from different parts of the country, especially from the southern districts started thronging the venue of the rally with colourful banners, festoons and AL's election symbol 'boat'.
Men wearing colourful T-shirts and women sporting colourful saris carrying large portraits of Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina, placards, festoons and banners took part in the rally.
The venue and its adjacent areas were decorated with colourful festoons, placards, digital banners. Large screens were installed at different corners of the rally to broadcast the rally proceedings.
The stage was large and spectacular, made after the design of Padma Bridge. In front of the stage was a huge boat floating on water adding colour to the rally.
Sheikh Hasina said she laid the foundation stone of this Padma Bridge in 2001, but BNP leader Khaleda Zia stopped the work after coming to power. Returning to power in 2009, the Awami League government restarted its work. But the BNP leaders said AL could never construct the Padma Bridge, she pointed out.
"Come and see whether Padma Bridge has been constructed," she urged Khaleda referring to her criticism.
The PM said a section of Bangladeshis, including economists and former bureaucrats, remarked that the construction of the bridge was not possible with the own finance of Bangladesh.
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