Working for a better future for children: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government is doing everything possible for ensuring a better future for the children of the country.

"We want to make the lives of children more colourful, beautiful, successful and fruitful. This is our aim," she said.

The PM was addressing a children's rally and cultural programme marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day on Bangabandhu Mausoleum Complex premises at Tungipara, Gopalganj.

She joined the programme virtually from her official residence Gono Bhaban.

"We've become a developing country, we won't just stop here. Bangladesh should move forward further. Now our aim is to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country by 2041," she said.

Hasina said the government is taking all the necessary steps and formulating all the policies to make Bangladesh a developed country by 2041.

"Those who will come to power in the future will follow the policies and continue the trend of development. That's what we want," she said.

The prime minister briefly mentioned the steps taken by her government for the children during its different tenures.

She urged guardians, teachers, eminent personalities, religious leaders, public representatives and others to remain alert so that the children do not fall prey to any destructive behaviour.

Hasina said the government has amended the Women and Children Repression Prevention law to ensure tougher punishment for offenders.

The prime minister said the pandemic will fade away and the schools will be reopened then.

She urged the children to continue their studies staying at home alongside continuing their cultural activities. "Sports and cultural activities are urgently needed."

Highlighting various measures taken by Bangabandhu for the welfare of children, Hasina said the father of the nation had made the primary education free for students and the secondary education for girls.

With a view to protecting the rights of children, Bangabandhu enacted the Children Law in 1974, the prime minister added.

RALLY AT TUNGIPARA

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and Gopalganj district administration jointly organised the rally of schoolchildren from different educational institutions of Tungipara, the birthplace of Bangabandhu, with Anusua, a class six student, in the chair.

The theme of this year's birth anniversary of Bangabandhu and National Children's Day is "Bangabandhur Janmadin, Shishur Ridoy Hok Rangin".

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira and Women and Children Affairs Secretary Md Sayedul Islam spoke at the programme at Tungipara.

Swapnil Biswas, a second-grader, presented the shorter version of Bangabandhu's historic March 7 speech.

Safwan, a class three student, and Rubaba Zaman, a sixth-grader, spoke on behalf of the children.

Later, the prime minister exchanged greetings with some students who were present at Tungipara.

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira, on behalf of the prime minister, distributed prizes among the children who participated in the literary and cultural competitions organised by Gopalganj district administration marking the day.

BSS adds, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu on the occasion.

They placed wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No-32.

Bangabandhu's younger daughter Sheikh Rehana, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain were present.