2024-03-16 19:49:08
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called upon children to develop patriotism, develop their personality, develop their creativity, become confident and have human qualities. He said, ‘In addition to paying respect to the father of the nation on National Children’s Day, the government is working to make the children of this country worthy citizens by following the life and ideals of the great leader.’
He said these things in a message given on Saturday (March 16) on the occasion of the 104th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and ‘National Children’s Day-2024’.
Sheikh Hasina said that today’s children will be the smart people of 2041 Bangladesh. Today’s children will lead Bangladesh in the future. Irrespective of party affiliation, everyone should work together.
On the occasion of the 104th birth anniversary of ‘Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’ and ‘National Children’s Day-2024’, the Prime Minister expressed deep respect to his memory and extended his sincere greetings to all the children of the country. He felt that this year’s theme on National Children’s Day – ‘Bangabandhu’s dreams, bring smiles to everyone’s house’ is timely.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born on March 17, 1920 in Tungipara village of Gopalganj district in a traditional Sheikh family. From childhood he was fearless, kind and benevolent. His leadership qualities began to develop during his schooling. Referring to these facts, the Prime Minister said, the main goal of the long political life of this world-renowned leader with a keen memory and far-sightedness was to liberate the Bengali nation from the chains of subjugation. Gradually he became the last refuge of the oppressed people of Bengal.
Sheikh Hasina said that the best Bengali of all time led the fight to establish the status of the Bengali language. In 1948, Rashtrabhasha Sangram Parishad was formed on his proposal of Chhatra League, Tamddun Majlish and other student organizations. On March 11, 1948, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib was arrested during a general strike demanding the recognition of Bengali as the state language. Sometimes from jail and sometimes from outside the jail, he led the language movement. During the final movement of students on February 21, 1952, he gave guidance from prison. Following this, the United Front elections of 1954, Ayub Khan’s anti-military movement of 1958, anti-Education Commission movement of 1962, six points of 1966, Agartala conspiracy case of 1968, mass uprising of 1969, elections of 1970 and the liberation war of 1971 were conducted under the undisputed leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib. .
The Prime Minister said that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib had immense compassion for children. He believed that the children of today are the future of tomorrow. Children will build the golden Bangladesh of his dream. Children’s future must be ensured first – from this idea, he formulated the Children’s Act in 1974, 15 years before the United Nations Children’s Charter. Nationalized primary education to ensure development of child education.
He said that Bangladesh Awami League formed the government in 1996, dedicated the birthday of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to children and declared March 17 as ‘National Children’s Day’ and took various steps for the welfare of children. Since 2009, we have been given the responsibility of running the state continuously and we have formulated ‘National Child Policy-2011’, ‘Child Act 2013’, ‘Prevention of Child Marriage Act- 2017’. Besides, programs for rehabilitation of underprivileged children and development of children with special needs are being implemented.
Students are being given free new books at the beginning of the year, Sheikh Hasina said, noting that almost hundred percent of children are going to school today. We have published books on the life and work of the Father of the Nation for children and presented the real history of the Liberation War in textbooks. Also, all kinds of initiatives have been taken to enrich the children with information technology to face the challenges of the future.
The Prime Minister wished for the overall success of all the programs organized on the occasion of ‘104th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’ and ‘National Children’s Day-2024’.