No more death in arson, violence

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has vowed to turn Bangladesh into a peaceful abode for all, and voiced hope that no more people would be burnt to death in the name of hartal and blockade.

"We don't want people, including children and expectant mothers, to be burnt to death. We don't want children to fall victims to such vengeance. We want a beautiful future and peaceful environment for all," she said.

Hasina made the remarks while addressing a children's rally at Bangabandhu Mausoleum complex premises in Tungipara yesterday.

The women and children affairs ministry and Gopalganj district administration jointly organised the rally, marking the 96th birthday of the Father of the Nation and National Children's Day.

The PM urged the children, teenagers and the youth to become true human being after getting a proper education, obtaining knowledge about rich tradition and taking part in sports and cultural activities.

"You'll groom up yourselves in such a way so that we could move ahead at the global stage keeping our head high," she told the rally.

The country's future leadership would come from the children and the youth as someone from among them would become the prime minister, minister and assume positions             in various important fields, Hasina said.

On this birthday of Bangabandhu, she said, it should be the pledge of all to build Bangladesh as a nice abode alongside making it a hunger and poverty-free 'Sonar Bangla'.

Terming the assassination of Bangabandhu on August 15, 1971 a disgraceful day for the whole nation, the PM said with his death the nation had not only lost the Father of the Nation but also the history and ideology of the Liberation War.

"I'll urge the children, teenagers and the youth to build Bangladesh in light with the spirit of Liberation War and ideology of the Father of the Nation. No child would remain without education on Bangladesh's soil and they all lead a nice life," she added.

Hasina also urged them to study with rapt attention and be careful and passionate about the poor, hapless and disabled.

Bangabandhu made primary education free for children and framed the Children's Act in 1974 to ensure their welfare, she said, adding that following the footprint of Bangabandhu, her government formulated National Children's Policy in 2011.

After the rally, she handed over prizes among the successful participants of various schools in different competitions held in the district.

She also witnessed a colourful cultural programme and inaugurated a book fair there on the occasion.