Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the Padma Bridge will change the lives of the people of at least 21 districts as new economic zones and industrial opportunities will boom in the areas with the bridge’s inauguration.
Awami League President and Premier Sheikh Hasina was speaking at a mammoth rally arranged by the ruling party at Ilias Ahmed Chowdhury Ferry Ghat in Madaripur moments after the inauguration of the Padma Bridge.
“My only objective is to ensure an improved life for the next generation. Today, we have managed food, power, and accommodation for the homeless and landless people and digitised Bangladesh. Today, this is my promise to you all,” she said.
The prime minister said she had been the recipient of affection and love from the nation’s people after losing her father, mother and brothers.
She said: “I am beside you to establish your rights, to change your fate and I am ready to make any sacrifice in doing so. And I will give up my life for you if required.”
The people of the 21 districts joined the public rally with colourful festoons, banners in decorated launches, boats, buses, and other vehicles.
The districts are Khulna, Bagerhat, Jessore, Satkhira, Narail, Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, Magura under the Khulna Division; Barisal, Pirojpur, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barguna and Jhalokati under the Barisal Division; and Gopalganj, Faridpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur and Rajbari under the Dhaka Division.
All the roads to Kathlbari were congested since the morning, centering on the public rally, except the lane dedicated to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
After the rally, the crowd rushed to the Padma Bridge and its adjoining areas to take pictures and selfies to capture the precious moments associated with the most awaited Padma Bridge.
To join this historic rally, the Awami League and its associated bodies’ leaders, activists, along with the general public travelled to Madaripur on Friday night and took seats in front of the stage.
Ignoring the rain and heat, they waited at the venue for Awami League President Sheikh Hasina to deliver her speech focusing on her dreams about the much-cherished bridge.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who hails from the southern district of Gopalganj, said the government would build a special economic zone around the Padma Bridge. She also asked the people of the areas to focus more on agriculture by ensuring productivity on every inch of land.
The Prime Minister also asked BNP chief Khaleda Zia to come and visit the Padma Bridge, mentioning the former prime minister’s remark that constructing the bridge was not possible.
“I laid the foundation stone of the Padma Bridge in 2001 but Khaleda Zia stopped it (construction),” Sheikh Hasina said, adding that she began the construction work again when she returned to power.
“Khaleda Zia said the Padma Bridge could not be built. Today I want to ask her to come and see if the Padma Bridge has been built or not,” the prime minister added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Padma Bridge with great fanfare at noon on Saturday.
Awami League central leaders started the meeting at 9am at Mawa point.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, chief whip in parliament Nur e Alam Chowdhury Liton, Awami League Presidium member Dr Abdur Razzaque, Shahjahan Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanok, and Abdur Rahman, among others, spoke at the rally.
Awami League Publicity Secretary Abdus Sobhan Golap and Organizing Secretary Mirza Azam jointly conducted the program.
