RAJSHAHI, Mar 3: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday urged the army to remain alert to face any "internal and external threats" for safeguarding the country's constitution and sovereignty.
She made the call while addressing the "national standard" handing over
ceremony of the Bangladesh Infantry Regiments (BIR)-7th, 8th, 9th and 10th at Shaheed Col Anis Parade Ground at Rajshahi Cantonment.
The Prime Minister handed over the national standard to the commander of the respective regiments.
Earlier on her arrival at the venue, the Prime Minister was received by
Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed and GOC and Area Commander of the army and the Commandant of the Bangladesh Infantry Regimental Centre.
Rajshahi City Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Rajshahi-1 MP, Omar Faruk Chowdhury, Rajshahi-2 MP Fazle Hossain Badsha, Rajshahi-3 MP Ayeen Uddin, Rajshahi-4 MP Engineer Enamul Haque, Rajshahi-5 MP Mansur Rahman, Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Prof M Abdus Sobhan, Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Noor-ur-Rahman, Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner SM Abdul Kader, Rajshahi Range Police DIG M Khurshid Hossain, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner AKM Hafiz Akhter, Rajshahi Development Authority Chairman Bazlar Rahman attended the ceremony.
Ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, the chiefs
of navy and air force, former army chiefs, foreign diplomats and high civil and military officials were also present.
Sheikh Hasina said the army has always extended their cooperation to the government in serving the people. "I firmly believe the army will stand beside people whenever needed during the tenure of the present government."
Hasina thanked the Army members for playing a significant role in upholding the democratic process by performing their duty sincerely in the 11th parliamentary election.
She also expressed her gratitude to the country's people for giving the scope to her party to form the government for the fourth term, and the third term in a row. "Our government wants to govern the country as the servant of people, not as the ruler," she said.
The Prime Minister said the Army is engaged in nation-building activities like construction of Padma Bridge and Cox's Bazar-Technaf Marine Drive, alongside their main duty.
She said Bangladesh Army earned rare dignity and image for Bangladesh through their sacrifice, sincerity and professionalism in establishment of world peace and in different foreign missions, which brightened the image of Bangladesh.
She said a process is on to modernise the Bangladesh Army following the foresighted guidelines of the Father of the Nation.
Hasina said she approved in principle the formation of Bangladesh Infantry Regiment in 1999 and formally hoisted the flag of BIR on April 21 in 2001.
"It's the only regiment which was formed after the Independence of Bangladesh," she said adding that now there are 43 units and two Para-commando battalions under the BIR.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh is marching forward and will continue to do so.
She termed Bangladesh Army an "asset" of the country and a "symbol" of the confidence and the trust of the people. She called upon the army members to be more "professionally-efficient" and "welfare-minded" with social and religious values.
The Prime Minister said the Awami League government is pledge-bound to build most modern and all-round armed forces, Sheikh Hasina said for this, the government has framed the Forces Goal-2030 which is being implemented in phases.
As part of it, she said, new infantry divisions, brigades, units and
training centres were established. Besides, three new divisions were formed in the army, she also said.
The Prime Minister said her government has established para-commando brigade for the first time, while MLRS and Missile Regiment have also been added to the army for further strengthening the country's air defence system.
Besides, the present government has strengthened operational capability of the army to a great extent through inducting various modern war equipment, helicopters and modern infantry gadgets to keep pace with the developed world, she added.
On the directives of Bangabandhu, she said, Bangladesh Military Academy was founded in Cumilla Cantonment in 1972.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu framed the defence policy in 1974 by
realizing the necessity of a developed and professional army.
Sheikh Hasina said to infuse more dynamism into the Infantry Division, her government for the first time realized to establish its second regiment alongside the East Bengal Regiment. "I approved in principle the formation of Bangladesh Infantry Regiment in 1999 and formally hoisted its flag in April 2001," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken all kinds of steps to build
Bangladesh Infantry Regimental Centre as a modern training centre. The work on increasing training and administrative facilities is underway, she said.
The Prime Minister said earning ability of getting the national flag by any unit is a matter of rare honour and pride. "The national flag, a symbol of independence and sovereignty, has been handed over to you and I extend my heartiest congratulations to BIR-7,8,9 and 10 for achieving this honour and glory," she said.
"You'll have to remain always prepared to protect the dignity of the flag
which you've got as recognition to your work with efficiency, hard exercise and dutifulness," she said.
