Environmental Degradation Will Harm Future Generations: Tarique Rahman

Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman said, “Allah has given us a chance to do something for this country and its people. You can work from nine to five. If you do nothing after that, nobody will say anything. But if the environment turns bad, future generations will suffer. Your next generation will live in this country.”

He said, “To keep the country’s environment good, everyone must do a little more than their duty. If you want change, you must come forward and use your own ability.” He asked people to raise public awareness to protect the environment and forests. He also asked government officials to take the lead beyond their fixed duties.

He told everyone to come forward from their own positions to protect the country’s environment. He also asked them to build a livable Bangladesh for future generations. The Prime Minister also visited the grounds of the National Parliament building. He ordered the staff there to keep this protected area clean and to do the repair work it needs.

The Prime Minister said these things at a meeting held the day before yesterday in the conference room of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The meeting reviewed the progress of the ministry’s work and its plans. Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Hasan Shiplu shared this news. He said the meeting decided to find the country’s mother trees within the next six months and protect them.

The meeting also gave several orders. The ministry must plant trees and also make sure they get regular care. It must send its own people to check whether the planted saplings are alive. It must also find ways to increase tree planting in the Chattogram Hill Tracts region. The Prime Minister said people have little space to go into nature, and the country must increase such places.

He also said the government must encourage people to make gardens on rooftops, in schools and in other buildings. He said the government must make ordinary people aware as well, alongside its own steps to protect the environment. The more aware people become, the easier the work will be. He also stressed a separate plan for public awareness work, to carry out the decisions and plans to protect the environment and forests.

The Prime Minister voiced worry about Dhaka’s air pollution. He said Dhaka has come first or second on the list of the world’s most polluted cities for many years. He called this a shame for the country. He said everyone must take responsibility from their own position to change this. He told the ministry officials, “You have the ability to do a little more than your duty.”

He said not everyone gets a chance to work for the country. Those who hold responsible positions today have that chance. He said it is not enough to stop after doing only the fixed duties. He said officials must try to do more for the people. He mentioned the plan to plant 250 million trees. He said all the people of the country will enjoy the benefit if the work goes well.

He said if everyone comes forward, the country can do something good together for its people. The meeting also decided that other ministries may plant fewer trees than their targets. In that case, the Ministry of Environment and Forest must take steps to cover the shortfall. It must also make sure the planted trees get regular care and checks.

Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change Mr. Abdul Awal Mintu attended the meeting. State Minister Mr. Sheikh Faridul Islam, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Mr. Saimum Parvez and Acting Secretary Ms. Fahmida Khanam also attended. Senior officials joined them as well. In the afternoon, the Prime Minister visited the grounds of the National Parliament building.

He walked around the field, the gardens and other parts of the grounds. He looked at the overall environment, the condition of the structures and the cleaning work near the Parliament building. He gave the order to the people concerned during the visit. The Prime Minister stressed regular care and proper upkeep to protect the beauty and environment of the National Parliament Plaza.

He asked the people concerned to keep the field and the gardens clean. He also asked them to take the needed steps for greenery and the right care of the existing trees. The Prime Minister also ordered the staff to find the places in the Parliament Plaza and nearby areas that need repair, and to finish the repairs. He also stressed regular checks and upkeep of the plaza and nearby areas, while keeping the building’s architecture and its beautiful setting.

Prime Minister’s personal physician Dr. Bitu visits Neuroscience Hospital to review treatment of Chhatra Dal leader Khan Saiful

On the order of Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman, Dr. A. N. M. Monowarul Kadir Bitu went to the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital. He is the Assistant Personal Physician to the Prime Minister. He went to see the condition and treatment progress of sick Mr. Khan Saiful in person. Mr. Khan Saiful is a former joint convener of Khulna Metropolitan Chhatra Dal.

At the hospital, Dr. Bitu asked the specialist doctors in charge of Mr. Saiful’s treatment for full details. He asked about his present condition, his ongoing treatment and its progress. He also talked in detail with the respected members of the medical board. They discussed Mr. Saiful’s next treatment plan and the steps he needs. Mr. Khan Saiful then thanked the Prime Minister deeply for his sincere effort and help with his treatment.

He also thanked the specialist doctors treating him and everyone concerned. Last week, Mr. Khan Saiful’s illness came up on social media. Dr. Monowarul Kadir Bitu has kept asking regularly about his treatment since he learned of it. He has also checked the treatment matters step by step. The hospital’s Director Professor Dr. Nuruzzaman and Associate Professor Dr. Masum Ali were present.

Registrar Physician Dr. Md. Mazharul Islam also joined them, along with members of the medical board and other specialist doctors and officials.

Prime Minister lays a wreath on Abdul Hai’s body after the funeral prayer and pays deep respect

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Mr. Tarique Rahman took part in the funeral prayer of the late Alhaj Mr. Md. Abdul Hai. The late Mr. Hai was a former deputy minister, an adviser to the BNP Chairman and a five time former Member of Parliament. He was also a former president of Munshiganj District BNP. The funeral prayer took place the day before yesterday afternoon in the grounds of the National Parliament building.

After the prayer, the Prime Minister laid a wreath on Mr. Abdul Hai’s body and paid deep respect. He prayed for the forgiveness of the late leader’s soul. He also expressed deep sympathy to his grieving family, relatives and well wishers. Then a special prayer for the forgiveness of his soul took place. Several ministers and leaders took part in the funeral prayer.