Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged Bangladesh’s youth to take the country forward and uphold its image in the international arena through patriotism, willpower and honesty.
"You have to love the country and its people. If you move forward with confidence, you will be able to give your country something alongside doing something for your own life. There's no scope for getting frustrated. You will have to face many obstacles, but it is possible to overcome these hindrances if there is strong willpower," she said, reports UNB.
Sheikh Hasina made the remarks while speaking at an interactive session titled "Let's Talk with Sheikh Hasina," organised by the Centre for Research and Information at Ganabhaban on November 23. The session was broadcast simultaneously on state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) and private TV stations Maasranga, RTV, Channel 24, Channel i, ATN News, Gazi TV, DBC News and Somoy TV on Thursday.
The program was also streamed on the Facebook pages of CRI and Young Bangla, as well as on a number of news portals and websites. They include the Daily Ittefaq, Kaler Kantho, Samakal, Daily Jugantor, bdnews24.com, sarabangla.net, Bangla Tribune, banglanews24.com, Bangladesh Pratidin, bdmorning.com, United News of Bangladesh (UNB), barta24 and radio station Radio Dhol.
Describing the youth as the future of the country, the prime minister put the onus of taking Bangladesh forward on them.
"I am handing over the responsibility to you," she said to a diverse group of youths as she listened to their dreams, hopes and aspirations for the future Bangladesh.
She also stressed her government’s zero tolerance policy for corruption.
"We launched drives against terrorism, and drives against drugs are ongoing. We have arranged income for government officers, what reason would they have for being involved in corruption? It is possible to stop corruption if people stay away from unhealthy competition," the prime minister said.
Replying to a question from a youth at the session, Sheikh Hasina said quota facilities for freedom fighters and ethnic minorities in government were scrapped in the face of public demand, but new guidelines on the issue of people with disabilities, ethnic minorities and freedom fighters' children would be issued.
Regarding her government's efforts for the development of marginalized communities, the prime minister said: "We have been working. Villages will be turned into cities. When taking development programs, city or capital-centric programs are not the only ones taken. The problems of marginalized communities are also considered."
Sheikh Hasina also shared details of her personal life with the participants of the session, including how she only sleeps for five hours a night due to the amount of work she has to complete.
She also discussed the struggles she has had to overcome, such as the assassination of her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other family members on August 15, 1975, and her time in prison during the 1/11 era.
About 150 young people selected from across the country, including entrepreneurs, students, sports and cultural personalities, and representatives of various youth groups and associations took part in the discussion.
Meanwhile, CRI has announced that its docudrama "Hasina: A Daughter's Tale" will premiere on TV on Saturday, December 15. The docudrama on the life of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be aired on Maasranga, Gazi TV and Channel i at 3pm.
