PM urges children to acquire

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina Saturday urged the children and juveniles to devote themselves to acquire science and technology-based knowledge and said that her government was making efforts to build an educated nation so that Bangladesh, as an independent state, could stand in the world community keeping its head high, reports BSS. "We want an educated and knowledge-based future generation, and in view of this we are providing all support in light of our programme to build a digital and prosperous Bangladesh, for which the nation was liberated at the cost of blood of millions of people," she said. The PM was addressing a function on the occasion of distribution of the prizes among the winners of painting and essay writing competitions at Ganobhaban in the city. Bangabandhu Memorial Trust organised the competition on the occasion of 91st birth anniversary of Father of the Nation. Vice chancellor of Dhaka University Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Advocate Tarana Halim, MP, poet Rabiul Hossain, member secretary of the Trust Dr Sheikh Hafizur Rahman, and curator of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum Syed Siddiqur Rahman spoke, among others, on the occasion. President of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum Trust Professor AF Salauddin Ahmed was in the chair while noted singer Bulbul Mohalanabish conducted the programme. Sheikh Hasina said that the nation must be educated to build a hunger and poverty-free Bangladesh. For this, she said that children must be given science and technology-based education. Referring to building a digital Bangladesh by 2021, she said steps were taken to facilitate people getting access to internet all over the country. IT-based education, laptops and other accessories would be made more accessible to commoners, she asserted. She said that the house of Bangabandhu on Dhanmondi Road No 32 has been donated for a trust and museum so that it could play a greater role in building the nation. The trust will educate generations on country's history as well as provide support to poor students to pursue studies, she said. Sheikh Hasina thanked the children who participated in the essay writing and painting competitions and expressed the hope that it would help flourish their talent. Arefin Siddique urged the children and juveniles to take lessons from the life, patriotism, dedication and morality of Bangabandhu, who spent every moment of his life for the cause of the Bangali nation. Later, the PM distributed prizes, certificates and books among the winners of the competitions.