Govt committed to building patriotic leadership of army

BHATIARI, Dec 21 (UNB): Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina Wednesday said that the government was committed to building a smart, patriotic, skilled and new leadership of the army motivated with the spirit of Liberation War. "To achieve the goal, the country's Constitution along with the background of the emergence of Bangladesh has been incorporated in the curriculum of BMA," she said at the President's Parade marking the passing out of 65th BMA Long Course and 36th BMA Special Course at the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA). Congratulating the newly commissioned officers, the PM said: "Your first and foremost duty will be to protect the country's independence and sovereignty even by shedding the last drop of your blood." She also expressed the hope that the new army officers would continue to work along with the people for the welfare of the country apart from safeguarding the national independence and sovereignty. She also expressed her firm belief that the young army officers who have been trained under the new curriculum of BMA would be able to give proper leadership to the Bangladesh Army. The PM said that the Bangladesh army had been conferred the Independence Award 2007 for its significant contribution to the War of Liberation and public service. A total of 127 cadets - 116 from Bangladesh Army, 6 from Palestine and 5 from Sri Lanka - formally passed out of BMA at a glittering ceremony. Among them, 111 cadets including two female cadets from the 65 BMA Long Course, and five cadets including one female cadet from the 36 BMA Special Course were commissioned to the Bangladesh Army. From the 65 BMA Long Course, six cadets were commissioned to Palestine Army, and five cadets commissioned to Sri Lankan Army. PM reviewed the smartly turned out parade and took salute at the impressive march past as the chief guest. She also distributed medals and awards to the outstanding cadets. Battalion senior under-officer Redwan Abyaz was adjudged best all round cadet and awarded the coveted 'sword of honour'. On the other hand, gentleman cadet Naim Hasnain received the chief of army staff's gold medal for his outstanding performance in Military subjects. Meanwhile, Jahangir Company received the BMA Colour for the Winter Term on the basis of different inter-company competitions. The cadets formally took oath and were later adorned with the rank badges by the respective guardians. Earlier, on her arrival at the BMA parade ground, the PM was received by Chief of Army Staff General M Abdul Mubeen along with Area Commander Chittagong Area and GOC 24 Infantry Division Maj Gen Mohammad Ashab Uddin, GOC ARTDOC Maj Gen AKM Muzaheid Uddin and Commandant of the academy Brig Gen Md Anisuzzaman Bhuiyan.