Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Saturday said democracy was restored, the Liberation War spirit was established and smiles returned to people's faces when Awami League President Sheikh Hasina returned home on May 17, 1981.
He was addressing a discussion marking the Homecoming Day of Sheikh Hasina at the Dhaka University (DU) Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) auditorium.
Chhatra League organized the discussion with its president, Saddam Hussain, in the chair. It was moderated by General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan.
Senior journalist Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul addressed it as a discussant.
Noting the success of the prime minister's recent visit to Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom, and the World Bank's approach towards Bangladesh, the minister said now Sheikh Hasina is not only the leader of Bangladesh, rather she is a global leader.
About BNP leaders' remarks, Hasan, also an Awami League joint general secretary, called upon the BNP to contest the next general election to witness whether Sheikh Hasina's government has popularity or not.
In the 2008 general election, the BNP got 29 seats with its full strength under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia, he said.
The minister said the BNP fled from the election in 2014 and they contested the 2018 election riding on “the election train.”
“I am requesting the BNP to join the next polls,” he said.
About global support for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said recently the premier visited Japan, the US and the UK. Those who were in the premier's entourage saw how Japan honoured Sheikh Hasina, he said.
The minister said Japan signed a deal to provide 30 billion yen to Bangladesh in assistance.
Once the World Bank cancelled its credit for the Padma Bridge but now the bank has realized its mistake, he said.
Hasan said the WB called a program for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on a holiday as she had no time except Saturday. The WB arranged the program only for the premier and gave a proposal for fresh financing in Bangladesh, he added.
“Moreover, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met Sheikh Hasina and said, ‘You are our idol. My wife and children also consider you to be their idol,” he said.
Dr Hasan said if BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and others cannot hear these accolades, they should consult physicians or if they do not see these, they should consult ophthalmologists.
“You can receive treatment from your doctors' association, DAB (Doctors Association Of Bangladesh). If DAB cannot treat you, you can receive help from our Swadhinata Chikitshak Parishad,” he said.
He said Bangladesh has surpassed even India in social, human and health indexes.
“In 2021, we surpassed India in terms of per capita income.”
“Because of these successes, Sheikh Hasina is being lauded on talk shows in India and Pakistan and political arena of the countries. Politicians of these countries are facing huge criticism,” he said.
“It is sorrowful but true that Sheikh Hasina has not been lauded enough on our television channels. It is the reality,” he said.
The minister said the media should showcase the nation's successes and achievements to make the people dream bigger.
But it is natural that the media will present flaws and mistakes of the responsible persons and it will criticize the government as well, he mentioned.
“But if the successes of the nation are not presented, people cannot be hopeful,” he added.
Hasan urged Chhatra League leaders and workers to build a Smart Bangladesh under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.
To build a Smart Bangladesh, Chhatra League workers will have to be self-reliant in information and communication technology, he said.
He urged the Chhatra League workers to remain alert against the spreading of anti-state and anti-government propaganda on social media.
DU Chhatra League President Mazharul Kabir Shayan and General Secretary Tanbir Hasan Shaikat also spoke on the occasion, among others.