TUNGIPARA (Gopalganj), Mar 17 (BSS): Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina reiterated her call to the teachers, guardians and religious clerics to motivate children against all evil forces including militants, terrorists and drug traffickers along with taking care of them.
"We have to take steps to give our children a healthy life and ensure their peaceful stay with their parents, so that they don't go astray," she said, urging everybody to give special attention to their children.
The PM said this Saturday while addressing a Children's Rally and Cultural Programme marking the 99th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day on Bangabandhu Mausoleum Complex premises here.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh will go ahead with the ideals of the Father of the Nation who dreamt for a hunger and poverty- free country and children of present time would turn the dream of Bangabandhu into reality.
The prime minister said, "I firmly believe that Inshaallah, we will be able to build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous nation before celebration of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh Independence."
She urged the children to study attentively and take advantages and facilities provided by the government for the education to build them as worthy citizens.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and Gopalganj district administration jointly organised the rally of the schoolchildren of different educational institutions of Tungipara, the birthplace of Bangabandhu.
State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki attended the function as the special guest with Arafat Hossain, a student of Class III of SM Government Model Primary School, Gopalganj in the chair.
Priyonti Saha, a student of Class IV of Sonali Swapna Academy, Gopalganj, delivered the welcome addresses.
Secretary of the Women and Children Affairs Ministry Nasima Begum, Divisional Commissioner of Dhaka Bazlul Ahmed and Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner Mokhlesur Rahman Sarkar were present.
Members of the cabinet, cabinet secretary, chiefs of three services, senior leaders of the Awami League, government officials, teachers of different educational institutions attended the function.
The premier released a commemorative postage stamp in memory of Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Bangabandhu.
Post and Telecommunications Secretary Shyam Sundar Shikdar and Bangladesh Post Office Director Sushanta Kumar Mandol were present on the occasion.
Sheikh Hasina also unveiled the cover of a children's book on "Amader Chhota Russel Sona". Bangladesh Shishu Academy published the book authored by the Prime Minister. Director of the academy Anzir Liton was present on the occasion.
A video titled "Utbo Jege Chhutbo Bege" was screened on the occasion. The prime minister also opened a book fair and visited a painting exhibition of the children on "Amar Bhabnai 7th March".
Later the prime minister handed over sewing machines to two distressed women of Tungipara and Kotalipara Upazila of Gopalganj district.
She also distributed prizes among the children who participated in literary and cultural competitions organised by Gopalganj district administration marking the 98th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation and the National Children's Day.
