2024-08-01 19:32:58
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, ‘Those who are involved in the conspiracy to drag the country back by hunting fish in the muddy water should be found.’
He said, ‘Today Bangladesh is a role model of development in the world. Why was that dignity destroyed?’ The prime minister has given the burden of justice to the countrymen.
He said these things during the celebration of ‘National Fisheries Week-2024’ at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the capital on Wednesday (July 31) morning.
The Prime Minister said that all the incidents, destructive activities that have taken place in the name of this movement, many fresh lives have been lost.
The daughter of the father of the nation said in an emotional voice, ‘Since I have lost a relative, I understand the pain of losing a relative. So, my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.’
He said, they destroyed important structures. The structures that have been destroyed can be rebuilt. But we will never get back the lives that have been lost.
Sheikh Hasina said, I don’t know, what was my crime? My question is who has achieved what to destroy the country’s achievements by doing this destructive activity in the name of the movement on the non-existent issue, to destroy the image of Bangladesh internationally?
The head of government said, power is not an object of enjoyment for me. I did not come to power for comfort. I worked tirelessly day and night to improve the country. Which I was able to do successfully.
Since coming to Bangladesh in 1981, Sheikh Hasina has been the victim of many assassination attempts, including shootings, burying bombs, grenade attacks. Highlighting this topic, he said, ‘I did not care about life. We have to work for the country and the people of the country. The aim is to make the country free from poverty and provide free houses to the landless and homeless, food, clothing, shelter, education and medical facilities as well as building various infrastructures to make people’s lives easier. But, those things which serve people, became targets of attackers.’
He said, ‘The conspiracy of those who were the accomplices of the Pakistani invasion forces has repeatedly taken our country backward. It is the most difficult, the most sad.’
The Prime Minister said that while building the war-torn country, the Father of the Nation took initiatives to increase agricultural research and agricultural production to ensure food security for the people of this country. Besides, steps were taken to ensure people’s right to nutrition.
Quoting the speech of the Father of the Nation, the Prime Minister said, ‘He said, fish will be the second foreign exchange earning resource of Bangladesh.’
Sheikh Hasina invited the private sector to invest in deep sea fish extraction and said that the government will provide all the facilities required for deep sea fish and marine resource extraction. Because it will be useful to us.
Placing importance on research to increase indigenous species of fish, he said, Bangladesh now ranks third in the world in freshwater fish production. It ranks first in Hilsa production and fourth in Tilapia production. The government has an initiative to increase fish production by utilizing the abandoned wetlands in rural areas of the country. Bangladesh has been ranked fifth in the world for 5 consecutive years in the production of fish in closed reservoirs.
The Prime Minister urged the concerned parties to be more proactive and take this position forward. He said that the government has already taken steps to ensure that fish farmers get a fair price.
The Prime Minister also emphasized on adding value to the export of fish and fish products and urged private entrepreneurs to come forward in the fish processing industry.
Referring to various initiatives of the government for the development of the fish sector including the establishment of three testing laboratories in the country, the head of government said that these will not only meet the nutritional needs of the people of our country, but will also improve the standard of living and we will be able to take the country forward by earning foreign currency through exports.
At the event, the Prime Minister presented ‘National Fisheries Medal-2024’ to 22 individuals and organizations in seven categories. 6 gold, 8 silver and 8 bronze medals, mementos and cash are given as awards. The Prime Minister distributed smart ID cards among the fishermen on the occasion. Along with 22 individuals and institutions, the Prime Minister was also awarded a gold medal at the event for his significant contribution to fisheries.
A documentary on the development of the country’s fisheries sector was screened at the event. Minister of Fish and Livestock. Abdur Rahman presided over the event. Syed Mahmud Belal Haider, Secretary of the Ministry of Education, delivered the welcome speech. Directorate General of Fisheries Syed Mohammad Alamgir presided over the award ceremony.