PM for armed forces to fulfil people\\\'s hopes, aspirations

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina said on Thursday her government has been working to establish a professional and well-trained armed forces and expressed the optimism that the armed forces will keep intact its role in future for fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people, report agencies.
"Our armed forces were established in the battlefield of liberation war. Our patriotic armed forces from its beginning were always with the people to meet their hopes and aspirations. I hope, this role of the armed forces will remain intact in future," she said.
"I'm confident that the armed forces will continue to maintain its high standards in its efforts, efficiency and professionalism," the PM said while addressing the Graduation Ceremony of National Defense Course (NDC) and Armed Forces War (AFW) Course-2014 at Mirpur Cantonment.
Earlier, the PM handed over certificates among the graduating members of the two courses.
Commandant of National Defense College Lt General Mollah Fazle Akbar
in his address of welcome congratulated the graduating members and thanked the faculty members and staff officers of the College.
Mentioning that the nation feels proud with its armed forces, Hasina said: "We've been working to establish a professional and well-trained armed forces. We've allocated increased money for the armed forces in the national budgets."
She said her government has ensured that the armed forces would have access to latest technologies and equipment, and adequate training facilities have been established and operationalised.
She mentioned that the National Defence College is dedicated to train the operational and strategic leaders from home and abroad, from militaries to civil services and the policymakers. They are contributing to the promotion of a culture of peace, accountability and transparency.
Hasina said the officers have been carrying out high responsibilities in their respective services while the ex-graduates from this institution have been becoming cabinet secretary, chiefs of services or chief of police.
She said even successful businessmen and professors of the country as well as members of parliament are showing interest to take part in the NDC Capstone Course. The College would have to maintain the standards and continue its development,
"It is hoped that with their knowledge, will and commitment, they will usher in a new horizon of stability, development and empowerment of the people."
The PM noted that all now live in a globalised multi-polar world where continuously improving technologies are increasing connection among all the people, providing solutions and sometimes naturally creating adverse effects too.
Hasina said that MIG-29, C-130 aircraft, K-8W trainer aircraft, Mi171
helicopters and surface to surface missile system have been added to the Air Force while her government has been working to increase Bangladesh's participation in the UN peacekeeping missions.
She said the strategic geographic location of the country made it an important actor in the global politics as Dhaka is playing a major role in promoting regional integration.
The PM said: "The main theme of our foreign policy is: Friendship to all, malice to none. We're developing inter-state relations based on our foreign policy."
"For a three-dimensional navy, procurement of submarine is underway and we hope that the submarine would be inducted in the navy by 2016. Besides, helicopter, marine petrol aircraft, modern frigate and vessels were procured to meet the newer challenges," she said.
"I hope this partnership between the people and the armed forces will gather more strength with the passage of time," she said.
As many as 77 personnel including 48 from Bangladesh and 29 overseas course members took part in this year's National Defense Course.
Among the Bangladeshis, 28 are Brigadier Generals from Bangladesh Army, Four Commodores from Bangladesh Navy, three Group Captains from Bangladesh Air Force, eleven joint secretaries, one DG from Foreign
Service and one DIG of Bangladesh Police took part in the course.