Serve with devotion, professionalism

GHATAIL (Tangail), Jan 29 (UNB): Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina urged the country's first batch of female military paramedics Thursday to serve the country and its people with devotion and professionalism rising above their personal interest.

"I hope your today's great pledge for providing services will play a positive role in the healthcare services of mass people. You would serve the country and its people through your devotion, professionalism and integrity," she said.

Sheikh Hasina was addressing the oath-taking ceremony and passing out parade of the first female military paramedics' batch held at the Army Medical Corps Centres and School (AMCC&S) at Shaheed Salahuddin Cantonment, Ghatail.

She said the participation of women in a challenging profession like the army would play an important role in women empowerment. "The half of population of the society is women, and attaining success in any field is not possible without their spontaneous participation."

Sheikh Hasina said the women have brought about a positive change in politics, trade and commerce, social activities and other fields.  "The priority has been given to the participation of the women at different levels of the state," she said.

The PM said Bangladesh's position in the women's political empowerment was 7th in a 2013 report of the Global Gender Gap. "A positive change would come in the whole society if the outlook towards women is changed and they are evaluated socially," she said.

Through the day's passing out parade, a total of 879 female soldiers were recruited in Bangladesh Army Medical Corps for the first time.  This was the largest contingent of female soldiers that passed out at a time in the world history.

Of them, Mosammet Memory Hasan and Shantona Rani Mondol of the female recruit batch were adjudged the first and second recruits respectively.