Hasina asks army to serve country

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged the members of Bangladesh Army to devote themselves to serving the nation side by side with their regular work to protect the country's independence and sovereignty.
"Devote yourselves to serving the county along with staying alert always in discharging duties," she said adding that their prime and foremost vow should be protection of the country's independence and sovereignty.
The premier was addressing the president's parade marking the commissioning of the cadets of 73rd BMA long course and 44th BMA special course at Bhatiary.
The prime minister told the new cadets, "You are going to enter into a broader service area of the Bangladesh Army. You are taking holy responsibility of protecting the country's independence and sovereignty. So you have to stay alert and be ready to save the country's independence and sovereignty even giving the last drop of your blood."
Congratulating the newly commissioned officers of Bangladesh Army the prime minister urged them to serve the country and people with utmost devotion and uphold the professional integrity.
The prime minister said Bangladesh Armed Force, which came into existence through the War of Liberation, is a pride of the nation. The force has come to today's position following the path showed by father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Ministers, the prime minister's advisors, senior military and civil officials, chiefs of three services, diplomats and guardians of the newly commissioned cadets were present.
On arrival at the BMA parade ground, the prime minister was received by army chief General Abu Belal Muhammad Shafiul Huq, BMA commandant Major General Md. Jahangir Kabir Talukder and GOC of 24 infantry division and Chittagong area commander Major General M Shafiqur Rahman.
The prime minister reviewed the smartly turned out parade and took salute of the impressive march past as the chief guest. She also distributed awards among best cadets for their outstanding performance in the academy.
A total of 194 cadets including one Sri Lankan and one Nepali got commission this year. Among the 189 cadets including eight female cadets are from 73rd BMA long course and five cadets are from the 44th BMA special course.
Battalion senior under officer Md. Ahsan Ullah was adjudged as the best all round cadet and received sword of honour while company senior under officer Md. Ruhani Rabbi Hamza received the gold medal of chief of army staff for his outstanding achievement in military subject.
The cadets formally took oath and were adorned with the rank badges by Prime Minister and parents and guardians of new cadets. The hour long passing out parade and oath taking ceremony were held with the spirit stimulating sounds of drums and instruments and singing of patriotic songs enthralling high civil and military officials attended there.
The impressive and colourful parade was witnessed by distinguished senior officers of Bangladesh armed forces, high ranking govt officials, military and defence attach,s of diplomatic missions, local elites and guardians of cadets.
Reiterating her government's commitment to build a smart, competent and modern armed forces, the prime minister said, "You have joined the Bangladesh Army with a commitment to serve the nation. Today you are going to step in a broad service life and during the service you have to keep in mind that you are indivisible part of common masses. I hope that you will be partner of their all happiness and woes."
"I hope you will always perform your duties selflessly and devote yourselves to the causes of the country and people," Sheikh Hasina said.
Highlighting the steps taken by her government for development of Bangladesh Army the prime minister said her government has turned the Bangladesh Military Academy into a state-of-the-art and international standard academy.
The 'Bangabandhu Complex' in the academy, having all the modern facilities, has infused new pace into the training and administrative activities of the BMA. Four-year honours and engineering degree courses have already been introduced in the Academy, she said.
The prime minister hoped that such initiative would play an epoch making role towards ensuring higher training, taking higher education and modernising Bangladesh Army.
Sheikh Hasina said her government for the last seven years has taken all the necessary steps to turn Bangladesh Army as a dynamic, smart and time befitting force. "New divisions were established in the Bangladesh Army alongside ensuring massive infrastructural development," she said.
In light of the defense policy framed by father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the prime minister said her government is making relentless effort to ensure development of the army, navy and air-force under a 30-year 'Forces Goal'.
"Our goal is to take Bangladesh Armed Forces into a more dignified position in global arena," she said.
Mentioning that Bangladesh is a promising country in establishing global peace, she said Bangladesh has been making an important contribution towards maintaining global peace through sending highest number of peacekeepers at the UN peacekeeping missions.
"Our Army has been able to gain praises of all through discharging its duties bestowed upon it both at home and abroad with utmost efficiency and professionalism," she said.
In this connection, the prime minister urged the members of Bangladesh Army to take forward the force towards continued prosperity through maintaining such reputation.
"It's my expectation that people from any corner across the globe would consider Bangladesh Army as the symbol of peace and prosperity," the prime minister said.
Besides, she said, Bangladesh Armed Forces have a significant role in continuation of democracy and helping the civil administration in national development.
The prime minister noted that due to the devotion and courageous role of the Army, peace is now prevailing at the Chittagong Hill Tracts while pace of development is also maintained there.
Sheikh Hasina renewed her firm resolve to transform Bangladesh into a higher mid-income country well before 2021 and a prosperous developed country by 2041.
She hoped that the new cadets of Bangladesh Army would work together with people to turn Bangladesh into a rich and prosperous 'Sonar Bangla' through completing the unfinished tasks of father of the nation.