Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today told parliament that Bangladesh has witnessed massive development because of the consistency of parliamentary democracy and a stable political environment since 2008.
"In line with the constitution during the last three terms - (starting from) 2008, 2014 and 2018, the continuous progress of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad, the consistency of parliamentary democracy and political stability have created a scope for massive development in Bangladesh," she said.
Sheikh Hasina, also the Leader of the House, said this while placing a motion in the House on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh National Parliament.
In continuation of the scope, she said, Bangladesh achieved many successes like the successful implementation of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), reducing the poverty rate to 18 per cent from 40 per cent, gradual sustainable development of Bangladesh, Bangladesh’s graduation into the club of developing countries, reaching electricity to cent percent houses, massive development of communication infrastructures, attaining food autarky, constructing Padma Bridge with own finance, implementation of Metrorail project, launching Bangabandhu Satellite, setting up Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, rehabilitation of landless and homeless people under Ashrayan project, women empowerment, construction of Birnibash (houses) for freedom fighters and building Digital Bangladesh.
"Overall, Bangladesh today is a wonder of the world for the development of the people's life," she added.
Sheikh Hasina, member of parliament from Gopalganj-3 constituency, moved the motion under the Section-147 of the Rules of Procedure in the House on the 50th anniversary day of Bangladesh National Parliament.
The Prime Minister in her motion said, "On the auspicious moment of 50 years of Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad, the Parliament is in opinion that Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad as the centre of parliamentary democracy will continue to play an effective and active role in the development of people's life standard and the successful implementation of their hopes and aspirations, and thus democracy will be strengthened, an exploitation-free social system will be established, equality and justice will be guaranteed for all, we all will work together to fulfill these promises stated in the constitution, and build a happy, prosperous, advanced, hunger- and poverty-free smart Bangladesh and the Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman-- this should be our conviction."
Earlier, President Md Abdul Hamid addressed the House on the occasion of the 50 years of Bangladesh National Parliament. On 7 April, 1973, the first parliament had gone into the maiden sitting in independent Bangladesh.
Mentioning that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has given this occasion to the nation, the prime minister said that he (Bangabandhu) has suffered and sacrificed throughout his entire life for the welfare of the people of Bangladesh.
Referring to the time Bangabandhu had had for building the country, she said that Father of the Nation had gotten only three years, seven months and three days, yet during the period he had played the most effective role in the history of the country.
Sheikh Hasina said that Bangabandhu had adopted the four fundamental principles of the Constitution- nationalism, democracy, socialism and secularism, and established basic rights for everyone from the backward section of society in the Constitution, based on these principles.
During the short regime, she said, promulgation of 462 laws, ordinances and orders was an extraordinary achievement of Bangabandhu.
"When I think about it, I wonder how he could do so much work in such a short period of time!" she said, adding that on one hand, he rebuilt the war-torn country while on the other hand, he demonstrated a great example of establishing people’s rights in this country by consolidating democracy.
During Bangabandhu’s regime of three years and seven months, Sheikh Hasina said, Bangladesh had received the acknowledgment of 123 countries alongside achieving membership in different international organisations.
In addition, the United Nations also gave the status of Least Developed Countries to Bangladesh, she said, adding "This journey wasn't so easy for the country, he (Bangabandhu) had to achieve all those overcoming a lot of hurdles."
She continued that Bangabandhu has left a rare example before all of us of how a country could be rapidly rehabilitated, reconstructed and developed, if there is a will.
"And if Bangabandhu were alive, Bangladesh would have become a developed country way earlier," she remarked.
Sheikh Hasina said, they follow the ideals of Bangabandhu and that’s why, since 2008, democracy has continued in the country, resulting in the prevalence of stability here.
"Sometimes obstacles come in our way, but overcoming those we are pulling the country toward progress," she added.
Referring to receiving the status of a developing nation, the prime minister said "In that continuity we will make Bangladesh a smart nation and by 2041, the ‘Shonar Bangla’ as dreamt by Bangabandhu."
She said that Bangladesh is now a role model in the world for poverty alleviation, facing disasters, women empowerment, reducing child and maternal mortality rates and development.
Talking about the golden jubilee of the Parliament, the premier said that the National Parliament witnessed many historic incidents in its 50-year journey. "Centre of parliamentary democracy - the National Parliament- has been playing a role in the progress of democracy amid different hurdles," she said.
"This National Parliament is playing a significant role in the establishment of the rule of law by ensuring transparency and accountability in the government," she added.