National Interests, Sovereignty and Dignity Will Be the Core Commitments of Future Bangladesh: Tarique Rahman

Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman has said that protecting national interest, sovereignty and self respect will be the main pledge of future Bangladesh. He said Bangladesh wants to strengthen friendship and cooperation with all countries based on mutual respect and equality. He said the government continues its work to make the armed forces more technology driven, skilled, disciplined, professional and modern.

He also said any area can become beautiful, clean and eco friendly if there is planning and goodwill. He said the clear change in Aminbazar of Dhaka over the past two months is strong proof of this. Local people must take responsibility to keep the beauty of the environment. With their help and the government’s efforts, pollution and waste problems can be solved step by step.

The Prime Minister spoke at a ceremony yesterday morning at Savar Cantonment. At the event, several battalions and regiments received the National Standard, which is the national flag. He said the strength of a modern armed force is not only in weapons, equipment or manpower. Its real strength lies in discipline, skill, leadership, ethics, training and public trust, and above all in the chain of command.

He said the National Standard is given to a unit in honor of its professional success. He said it is not just a flag. It is a symbol of the unit’s history, tradition, discipline, sacrifice, professionalism and pledge to the country. He said the proud flying of the national flag always reminds people of independence, sovereignty and the sacrifice of countless people.

He said earning this flag means a new oath to do the given duty with more sincerity. He said protecting the honor of the flag is the sacred duty of every soldier. He said that at different times some people tried to damage the image of the armed forces. But everyone must remember that the Bangladesh Army was born through independence and the Liberation War.

Mr. Tarique Rahman said that in March 1971, the Pakistani army began a brutal attack on the people of Bangladesh who wanted freedom. At that time Mr. Ziaur Rahman, then a major and deputy commander of the 8th East Bengal Regiment in Chattogram, declared “We Revolt.” He then gathered the Bengali speaking officers and soldiers of the regiment and ordered them to join the armed struggle.

Quoting the article “Ekti Jatir Janma” by Shaheed President Mr. Ziaur Rahman, the Prime Minister said the order came at 2:15 am on the next day. Mr. Ziaur Rahman gave it to the officers, JCOs and soldiers of the battalion. He said Bengali speaking soldiers of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 8th East Bengal Regiments had stood up in armed resistance against the genocide by the Pakistani army.

He said the order in the early hours of the next day was an important chapter in the history of the Liberation War. So was the declaration of independence from Kalurghat Radio Station a day later. He said the historic role of an army officer in the war is a source of pride and inspiration for the armed forces. That is why freedom loving and patriotic people see every success of the army as a success of Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister said he expects officers and soldiers at every level to stay loyal to the constitution, the law, military rules and human values. He said the world’s security situation is changing, and the ways of war are changing fast. Cyberspace, outer space, drones, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and information power now join land, sea and air as key parts of national security. He said work is going on to keep the country’s defense readiness in step with the times.

Mr. Tarique Rahman said the present government is modernizing the army in every field. It is also giving importance to building a local defense industry to make needed arms, ammunition and equipment inside the country. But he said technology can never replace people. He said the army, navy and air force must also be able to work together in times of need, so the country needs a joint defense capacity.

He said the armed forces do not only defend the country. They also play an important role during disasters, floods, cyclones, fires and other national emergencies. They also serve with good reputation in United Nations peacekeeping missions abroad. He said the government is giving serious thought to the welfare, housing, medical care, education, training, career growth and social security after retirement of armed forces members.

He said the pay and allowances of armed forces members have already risen by 100 to 138 per cent under the national pay scale. To improve the living standard of soldiers further, the “One Rank One Pension” plan is now in process. At the event, the National Standard went to 7 and 32 Field Regiment Artillery, 25 Air Defence Regiment, 9 Engineer Battalion, 56 and 57 East Bengal and the President Guard Regiment. The units earned it for their professional success.

Cabinet members and advisers, the Army Chief, diplomats, former and serving officers of the armed forces and soldiers of different ranks attended the event. Later, the Prime Minister planted a sapling beside the road at Aminbazar on the Dhaka Aricha Highway. With this he opened a greening and beautification program. He said the area has changed greatly from what it was about two months ago.

He said the change has made the area pleasant to look at. It has also given nearby people a better place to breathe. He warmly thanked Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Ms. Farida Begum and the officials and staff of the Local Government Ministry for making the project a success. He said the government built a beautiful area, and now local residents must also take responsibility to keep it that way.

He said that if everyone helps, the area can become greener and more livable. The Prime Minister asked the Dhaka Deputy Commissioner to extend the greening work around Aminbazar to other parts of Dhaka district. He said mill and factory owners on both sides of the highway could take care of certain spots after talks with them. Places where garbage still piles up need a plan for improvement and beautification after talks with the people concerned.

He said that with proper planning, the beauty of Aminbazar and nearby areas will grow even more. He said this will also cut pollution and give local people a clean and healthy environment. He also asked members of parliament from the area to help. He hoped that if elected representatives work together with the district administration, waste and environmental problems can be solved over time.

The Prime Minister said everyone must work together so that people can breathe clean air and enjoy nature. He said the Dhaka Deputy Commissioner has set an example for other district officials through this work at Aminbazar. He hoped deputy commissioners of other districts would take real steps to make similar places in their own areas clean, green and beautiful. Under the program, greening and beautification work has begun on both sides of the Dhaka Aricha Highway.