Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday called upon the countrymen to move ahead with head high as Amar Ekushey (February 21) taught us not to bow down head.
"Ekush taught us not to bow down. We will not move keeping our heads down anymore, we will go with our heads high," she said conferring Ekushey Padak-2024 at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital, reports state news agency BSS.
Speaking as the chief guest at the award distribution programme, the prime minister said Bangladesh lost its dignity as a victorious nation after 1975 (brutal killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman).
She said, "Today I can at least claim that Bangalees can move with their heads high in the world arena as we have brought that dignity back."
The people of Bangladesh will have to move forward upholding this dignity in the coming days, she said, adding, "We are not seeking anything from anyone by begging. We will walk in the world with self-dignity."
Sheikh Hasina said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman not only gave us freedom, but also he gave a sense of dignity to the people of Bangladesh.
"We want to keep our head high all over the world as we are a victorious nation. Everyone should remember this," she said.
The premier said they want to build the countrymen as educated, skilled, and modern knowledge, science and technology based human resources.
"We've built digital Bangladesh. Our future goal is to build a smart Bangladesh. So no one will remain in the darkness of illiteracy," she added.
Sheikh Hasina said her government is paying special attention to infuse proper education to the people to flourish their skills to keep pace with the times.
Referring to the announcement of building a smart Bangladesh by 2041, Sheikh Hasina said, "We are moving towards smart Bangladesh as we prepared perspective plan attaching them to the five-year plan and started the implementation work."
About the enlighten personalities, who are contributing to the societies, she said her government will definitely find out those who are contributing to different areas of the society and "we will feel privileged by awarding them. This will be our effort."
She also said, "I feel blessed to serve those who take care of the people."
The new generation will also get inspiration from the luminary people if they are honored, she added.
So her government will honour them who have contributed to our liberation war or who have contributed to various movements, sports and culture, the prime minister said.
She, as well, greeted the award recipients and appreciated their dedication for the society.
Ziaul Haque received Ekushey Padak-2024 for social service as he dedicated his entire life to creating a public library and free book distribution among insolvent students with the little bit of profit he made from selling curd, she said.
Despite being a brilliant student, he had to struggle for life due to financial insolvency instead of going to school, Sheikh Hasina said.
She also said the great man started shouldering the responsibility of poor students and began distribution of free books among insolvent students, creating a family library first (in 1969) and then a public library titled "Ziaul Haque Common Library."
Sheikh Hasina, also the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, said she would arrange a permanent land for building the public library developed by Ziaul Haque as he demanded while receiving the Ekushey Padak.
bd-pratidin/GR
