Zubaida Rahman calls for ensuring a free environment for children to develop their potential

Vice President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation Dr Zubaida Rahman has called for ensuring appropriate education, healthcare, sports and a healthy natural environment to help children develop their latent talents, lofty aspirations and potential.

She made the call while speaking as the chief guest at a cultural programme after visiting Blue Sky, a school for children with special needs run by the Bangladesh Air Force, in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Tuesday afternoon.

Referring to children as the great soldiers who will build the country in the future, Zubaida Rahman said, “Coming here, one thought comes to mind: for any aspiration, the free sky is the ultimate limit. Children and adolescents will move forward with lofty aspirations and potential. Because today’s children are the great soldiers who will build the country tomorrow. Children are the future of the nation.”

Highlighting the historical importance of establishing the Bangladesh Shishu Academy for the development of children and subsequently creating opportunities for girls to pursue higher education free of cost, she said, “The Shishu Academy was established for the development of these children. Later, higher-level education was made free of cost for girls. Through cultural and sports competitions such as Naba Kuri, they are getting opportunities to demonstrate their excellence.”

The Vice President of the Ziaur Rahman Foundation said, “Every child’s life is filled with countless lofty thoughts. We all must create opportunities for them to receive a sound education system, proper arrangements for their mental and physical health, to play and move around amid nature in green open spaces, and to receive treatment for any illness. So that no child or adolescent in any of Bangladesh’s 64 districts, upazilas, 599 unions and 9,990 villages is neglected and left behind. Every child should remain safe with their guardians and families.”

Praising the children’s cultural performances, Zubaida Rahman said, “With proper training and guidance, children can demonstrate their limitless talents. Achieving any success as a team and developing a sporting spirit will later give them the strength and morale to grow into responsible citizens of the country.”

Zubaida Rahman said, “Children are the beloved and valuable assets of society and the state. All of them have lofty dreams—they will spread their wings and fly in the blue sky. They must move forward with lofty aspirations and high morale.”

She further said, “Today, the children have proved their ability to accomplish something meaningful together. This is also extremely important in sports. This learning will later give them the confidence and strength to become responsible citizens. You will shine like stars and illuminate the face of Bangladesh.”

Highlighting the role of the Bangladesh Air Force Women’s Welfare Association (BAFWA) in women’s empowerment and skills development, Dr Zubaida Rahman said the organisation’s training and handicraft initiatives were highly commendable and innovative for the development of the country’s 51 percent female population. She also thanked the students of Golden Eagle School and wished them success in reaching the pinnacle of their potential.

Before her speech, Dr Zubaida Rahman visited Blue Sky School and enjoyed the colourful cultural programme organised with the participation of children with special needs and students of BAFWA Golden Eagle Nursery.

At the programme, children with special needs performed songs, dances, a fashion show and various other performances in front of Zubaida Rahman. She highly praised BAFWA’s humanitarian initiatives, including providing education and therapy facilities for children with special needs and helping women become self-reliant.

Later, the young students of Blue Sky School took part in a photo session with chief guest Zubaida Rahman.

Later, representatives of the Bangladesh Air Force Women’s Welfare Association and Others Women and Children Club presented Zubaida Rahman with a commemorative gift and a special gift, a photograph of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. A video documentary on BAFWA programmes and the activities of Blue Sky School was subsequently screened.

Saleha Khan, president of the Bangladesh Air Force Women’s Welfare Association and Others Women and Children Club, delivered the welcome speech. Group Captain Mohammad Nur Ullah (PSC), principal of Blue Sky School, also spoke at the programme. The Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Administration), vice presidents of the BAFWA Central Committee, representatives of the BAFWA AK Khandker and Bashar branches, and senior Bangladesh Air Force officers were present at the event.