Country's progress in happiness index a blow to BNP's propaganda

Hasan tells Zillur Rahman's death anniv programme

March 22, 2022 00:00:00

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud speaking at a discussion organised by Zillur Rahman Parishad at the Jatiya Press Club in the city on Monday, marking the 9th death anniversary of former president Md Zillur Rahman — FE Photo

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said Bangladesh's seven notches progress on the Index of the World Happiness Report is a "tight slap" to BNP's continuous anti-state propaganda, reports BSS.

"Recently Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has claimed that the countrymen are unhappy and they are not well. On the other hand, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy has also said that the people of the country are not in a good position while Khandakar Mosharraf has claimed that the people are suffering a lot," he said.

The minister added that: "But, Bangladesh has moved up seven notches on the Index of the World Happiness Report of the United Nations, despite the continuous propaganda of the BNP."

Hasan stated these while addressing a discussion marking the ninth death anniversary of former president Md Zillur Rahman at Jatiya Press Club (JPC) in the city.

Zillur Rahman Parishad organised the discussion with its president and chairman of the board directors of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangthsa Professor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique in the chair.

Deputy Minister for Water Resources AKM Enamul Hoque Shameem addressed the discussion as special guest.

Hasan said not only BNP, but there is also another group who thinks that they are very wise.

"The positions of India and Pakistan are behind Bangladesh. Our position is in 94th while India's position is in 136th and Pakistan's position is in 126th. But, they have no statement about this. They were not beside the countrymen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even, the group was not seen during any cyclone or crisis. But, they often publish reports," he added.

The minister said, in fact, the CPD (Centre for Policy Dialogue) doesn't carry out any research works rather they publish reports which are politically motivated.

The prices of all essentials have increased in Europe and even the price of bread has increased 80 percent, he added.

He said the prices of all food products have increased in the United States also while prices of all commodities have increased across the globe including India and Pakistan due to COVID-19 and the war.