Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her government is striving to ensure that every person, irrespective of their religious and ethnic identity, obtains their equal rights.
“When we speak about our development, we certainly mean the inclusive development of every person, irrespective of their religion, creed, and caste,” she said on Thursday.
The prime minister stated this while handing out scholarships to students that are members of different ethnic groups—of the plains— at a function held at Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Dhaka, reports BSS.
The scholarship was given out under a project titled “Development Assistance for the Small Ethnic Communities Living on Plain Land,” that was initiated by the PMO in 1996; to support the students of the plains.
Highlighting the importance of economic sovereignty for members of different ethnic groups, the prime minister said promoting the cultures of different ethnic groups is very important alongside their economic prosperity.
The government wants to make sure that every person has an equal opportunity to pursue an education and use modern technology, she said, adding that none would remain neglected.
“We are not only lending importance to the development of areas with members of ethnic minorities but are also working to change the lots of: the people of the ‘bede’ community, hijras, tea garden workers, and Dalits,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina added that the government has given them a special allocation for their education, sanitation, and supply of potable water.
She also emphasized the importance of preserving the diversity of lifestyles of members of different ethnic groups hoping that more diverse members will participate in state affairs.
The scholarship would help the students to pursue their higher studies and flourish their talent, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu liberated Bangladesh with the aim of building a country where people of every religion would get opportunities for their economic prosperity. However, his dream was shattered on August 15, 1975, when he was brutally killed.
She said that since the inception of her political career in 1981 she earnestly tried to know the barriers of economic, social, and political development of the people of Bangladesh and has resolved those problems to give them a decent life.
Pointing out the beauty of natural and demographic diversity of Bangladesh, she said her government has turned its attention to the socioeconomic development as well as cultural diversity of members of different ethnic groups.
The prime minister said the Awami League government, after taking office in 1996, had successfully resolved the unrest in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and created opportunities for members of the region’s ethnic groups for their economic uplift.
At the same time, her government had thought about the socioeconomic development of about 1.5 million members of ethnic groups living in the plains and has undertaken projects to support them economically, promote their culture, plus create educational and other occupational opportunities.
Under the project, the prime minister’s office has undertaken the educational assistance program for ethnic minorities living in the plains, under which they are getting scholarships for higher education as well as general education.
She urged the members of ethnic groups to strive for further development of their traditional occupations by using modern technology; saying that members of diverse ethnic groups are part of Bangladesh’s national and social heritage.
The prime minister thanked the people of Bangladesh for giving her the possibility to serve the nation for a third consecutive term and help her hand over the scholarships.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hasan, Director General (admin) Khalilur Rahman, and Buet student A Myat, on behalf of ethnic groups spoke on the occasion with Principal Secretary Md Nazibur Rahman in the chair.
Under the program, about 500 students were each given a Tk25,000 scholarship.
Of them, 20 students received a cheque from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
