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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed optimism that the members of the Bangladesh Army will serve the country sincerely through professional skills and duty, inspired by the spirit of the great liberation war and the ideals of the Father of the Nation.

He said, “I firmly believe that all the members of the army will be inspired by the spirit of the great liberation war and the ideals of the father of the nation, and will serve the country with steadfast trust and complete loyalty to the service of the country with a combination of hard practice, professional skills and devotion to duty.”

The Prime Minister said this while addressing the Chief Guest at the flag-off ceremony of Headquarters 71 Mechanized Brigade, 15 and 40 East Bengal (Mechanized) and 9 and 11 Bir (Mechanized) at CMP Center and School in Savar Cantonment on Thursday morning. He joined the function virtually through video conference from Ganabhaban.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that the Bangladesh Army will always be ready to make the highest sacrifice for any national need including protecting the sovereignty of Bangladesh.

He said, our army stands by the people to face any calamity in the country. I sincerely thank all the members of this force including the army chief for playing a commendable role in the recent severe floods in Sylhet, Sunamganj and Netrakona districts.

The Prime Minister said that through ‘Operation Covid Shield’, the army members have played a leading role in preventing Corona. Members of the Bangladesh Army have brought honor and dignity to Bangladesh through their sacrifice, devotion to duty and professionalism in establishing world peace and in various foreign missions, which has greatly brightened the image of Bangladesh in the outside world.

He said, since ancient times, it has been customary to carry the ‘flag’ as a symbol of national status on the battlefield. The flag is a symbol of independence, sovereignty, honor and dignity of the nation. Therefore, it is the sacred duty of every soldier to protect the flag.

From the ceremony, the Prime Minister was given a state salute through a beautiful parade. Army Chief General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed gave vote of thanks on the occasion.

The Prime Minister said, after 21 years, we formed the government in 1996. Present the correct history of the liberation war to the new generation. We take various initiatives to modernize the military. In 1998, we established ‘National Defense College’ and ‘Military Institute of Science and Technology’, ‘Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations Training’ and ‘Armed Forces Medical College’ in 1999.

He said, after the re-formation of the government in 2009, we are taking and implementing short, medium and long-term plans with the aim of forming a modern military force with technological knowledge. We are modernizing, expanding and developing the Army, Navy and Air Force through the implementation of ‘Forces Goal-2030’.

Sheikh Hasina said, “Bangladesh Peace Building Center” was established in 2016 and “National Defense Policy, 2018” has been formulated by modernizing the defense policy formulated by the Father of the Nation. Besides, we have established Aerospace and Aviation University and converted CMHs into modern hospitals.

To strengthen the country’s defense system, the government has established 17 infantry divisions in Sylhet, 10 infantry divisions in Ramu and 7 infantry divisions in Barisal. He said, in the last 4 years, 3 brigades and 58 small and big units have been established under different formations. Sheikh Russell cantonment has recently been established in Mawa-Jazira and new cantonments are underway in Mithamin, Rajbari and Trishal.

The Chief Minister said, we have added new composite brigade and para commando brigade in the army. Moreover, the latest MBT-2000 tank, amphibious tank VT-5, MLRS regiment, mortar regiment, self-propelled regiment, MI-171 SH. State-of-the-art transport aircraft such as helicopters and Casa C-295W, advanced anti-tank weapons Metis-M-1, anti-aircraft missiles FM-90 and modern infantry systems have been added to the army.

Along with the modernization of the armed forces, Sheikh Hasina also highlighted the past history of military rule, assassination queues and conspiracy politics in the country after the assassination of the father of the nation in 1975. He said, after the brutal killing of the Father of the Nation on August 15, the glorious history of Bangladesh’s victory was erased. One after the other, there were queues in the army. Military officers and soldiers were brutally killed. The body was lost.

He said, still the relatives of those who went missing that day are crying because of that pain. By issuing the Indemnity Ordinance, the killers were rewarded with jobs in various embassies, blocking the way to trial for the assassination of the Father of the Nation.

He said that when Sheikh Hasina was elected as the president of Awami League in 1981, she returned home and protested against the killing of these army members.

The Prime Minister said, “I don’t want to hear the cries of childless mothers and fatherless children in the armed forces.” I don’t want to see any more widows.

He also presented a remarkable picture of the socio-economic and infrastructural development of the country as the democratic continuity of the country continued after the coming of the government. Citing the global recession in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, he reiterated his call to increase overall production by bringing every inch of the country under cultivation.

Sheikh Hasina said that the Bangladesh Army’s infantry brigades and a significant number of infantry battalions have been converted into mechanized to achieve specific objectives. Today their much awaited flag was hoisted. I extend my best wishes and greetings to all concerned with the addition of mechanized units in the Bangladesh Army.

He said, I hope the addition of these mechanized units will add a new dimension and play an important role in national security and countering threats.

The Prime Minister said, I congratulate you for presenting an orderly and pleasant parade today. My sincere thanks to all those who worked tirelessly in this beautiful parade and beautiful management. He also thanked the army chief and all concerned for organizing this event beautifully. Source: Bass.