PM urges people to work together to attain economic emancipation
Friday, 25 March 2011
Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina Thursday urged the people to work together to reach the fruits of the nation's independence to every citizen through attaining economic emancipation, report agencies.
"The nation that has gained independence and sovereignty through a war can not suffer from poverty and illiteracy."
The PM made the call after distributing the prestigious Independence Award-2011 to the recipients at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city Thursday.
Two institutions-Dhaka University (Education) and Bangladesh Police (contribution to liberation war) and seven personalities -Gaus Khan (posthumous for contribution to liberation war), Sanghraj Jyotipal Mahathero (posthumous for contribution to liberation war), Dr Neelima Ibrahim (posthumous for contribution to liberation war), Air Vice Marshal (retd) Abdul Karim Khandaker, Bir Uttam (contribution to liberation war), Nutan Chandra Singho (posthumous for contribution to liberation war), AKM Shamsujjoha (posthumous for contribution to liberation war), and Muhammad Abul Hashem Khan (culture) received the Independence Award, the highest state recognition, from the Prime Minister.
Each award recipient was given a gold medal, Tk 0.2 million (two lakh) and a certificate.
Award recipient Planning Minister Air Vice-Marshal (retd) AK Khandaker also spoke at the function moderated by cabinet Secretary M Abdul Aziz.
Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique and Inspector General (IG) of Police Hasan Mahmud Khandaker received the Awards on behalf of their respective institutions while family members received the posthumous awards.
Sheikh Hasina called upon all to make concerted efforts for building a happy and prosperous Bangladesh with the spirit of the War of Liberation.
The Prime Minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujibur Rahman led the nation to achieve independence, but when he started rebuilding the country, the great leader along with the members of his family were killed on August 15, 1975.