Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has said it is possible to bring about big changes in the lives of underprivileged people through small humanitarian and social initiatives.
“Not only financial assistance, but also creating opportunities for helpless people to stand on their own feet by making them work-oriented is the most important thing,” he said.
He said this while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the "Self-reliance Project for the Underprivileged" initiated by the US-based charity organization "Love Share BD" at the city’s District Shilpokola Academy Auditorium on Sunday.
He handed over 25 "Tea Houses" to 25 underprivileged people of the Rangpur region under the project to make them self-reliant.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, also the ruling BNP Secretary General, said that although this initiative of "Love Share BD" to make these 25 underprivileged people self-reliant today is small in number, it can bring about big changes in their lives.
Calling for working unitedly to rise above political divisions for the development of the backward people of Rangpur division, he said that local leaders should play an effective role in ensuring the self-reliance of the people of their respective areas.
The minister said that the BNP government is committed to the people's fate and is working towards that goal.
“The present government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is trying to revamp the country's ruined economy and troubled administration. These cannot be implemented so quickly. We do not have any Aladdin's lamp in our hands,” he said.
Mirza Fakhrul said: "We have an opposition party. Unfortunately, they have started playing the same role as before. They are also speaking the same language that Sheikh Hasina used to speak. Such politics are not good for the country.”
He advised the opposition party to talk if the BNP government, which has received the majority mandate from the people only some five months ago, fails to run the country.
“In the words of the opposition party, it has to be done right now although no development is possible in a day,” he said.
The minister said that the opportunity to build the country has come after the end of the fascist regime.
Stating that during the fascist era, cases were filed against six million people, 20,000 people were killed, and 1,700 people fell victim to enforced disappearance, that situation does not exist in the country now.
Regarding the country's development activities, Mirza Fakhrul said that the government is implementing various programs to revive the economy, increase agriculture and employment, and improve the living standards of the common people.
He also highlighted various initiatives taken to develop agriculture and irrigation systems, create employment, and address the energy crisis.
“The country has an energy problem. The Awami League government has not explored a single gas and oil mine in the country in the last 15 years. They crippled BAPEX. After taking charge, we are trying to dig oil and gas wells in the country,” he said.
The minister said oil and gas have to be imported from abroad. Its price has increased by billions of dollars in the international market, he said, adding that due to the war between Iran and the United States, oil and gas imports have suffered a loss of four billion dollars.
“However, the people of the country have not been without oil and gas for a single day. The supply has decreased slightly, but there has been no extreme crisis. The crisis that exists in the country will be resolved in a short time,” he added.
At this time, he also commented that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's pre-election promises are being implemented step by step.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam claimed that a lot has changed in four to five months. The government is carrying out reform activities in various sectors to meet the expectations of the people, he said.
He also commented that time and everyone's cooperation are needed to implement these initiatives.
Addressing the media, he said: "Even though we could not write during the Awami League era, now we can write both truth and lies. Now, democracy has been established in the country, and opportunities have been created to speak in parliament.”
Speaking as a special guest, Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and journalist Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey urged people concerned not to use power as a money-making machine.
“It is a commendable example that 'Love Share BD' entrepreneurs are standing by the backward people by spending their own money. Although the scope of such initiatives is small, its purpose is very noble,” he said.
Director of "Love Share BD" Zahid Khan said that the organization's activities have started from the real experience of people's helplessness and poverty.
“Our main goal is not only to help the disadvantaged people, but also to make them self-reliant,” he said.
Advocate Rezeka Sultana Fency MP, Chairman of Rangpur Development Authority Md Shamsuzzaman Samu, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ruhul Amin and District Council Administrator Md Saiful Islam addressed the occasion as special guests.
