President Mohammed Shahabuddin today asked the graduates of National Defence Course (NDC) and Armed Forces War Course (AFWC) to serve their respective countries through promoting justice and people’s emancipation.

“I hope the NDC course members would create their own identity at the national and international levels, making significant contributions to their respective fields,” he told the graduates of the NDC and AFW course-2023 at Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban here.

Congratulating all course members for their successful completion of the courses, the President added: “Your active participation in NDC courses reinforces the principle that a nation’s security and defense are not the sole responsibility of its military authority but a shared endeavor involving the entire government and society as well.”

The Head of the State advised the graduates to provide all-out support to implement policies and programs for the betterment of the nation and help alleviate poverty, empower women, educate the youth and take the nation forward along the path of progress.

Noting that Bangladesh is always committed to peace, prosperity, and progress, he said over the last few decades, the country  has embarked on a remarkable journey of development with consistent economic growth and impressive progress in poverty reduction, healthcare and education.

Referring to the 21st century that ushered in a complex and interconnected world due to the tides of geopolitics, economics, and technology, the President said nations are confronted with global challenges like climate change, terrorism, cyber threat, and pandemics, the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Palestine conflict which require collaborative and multi-dimensional solutions.

He stressed on united work for economic emancipation, national development and national security simultaneously.

“Good governance must not just be an aspiration but must be regular feature of your daily life… Obligation to human rights and rule of law must be the guiding principle of your activities,” the President added.

National Defence College has been providing higher education and training through the National Defense Course and the Armed Forces War Courses which cover wide areas including national security, development, leadership and policy-making to senior and mid-ranking officers from Armed Forces of Bangladesh and friendly countries as well as senior officers of civil administration of Bangladesh, he mentioned.

At the very outset of the speech, the President recalled with profound respect the architect of country’s independence Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and also paid his deep homage to the martyrs and valiant sons of the soil, who made supreme sacrifice in the war of liberation.

As many as 141 participants, including 29 military and other civil officials of 17 countries participated in the course. Acting Commandant of National Defense College Air Vice Marshal Md Kamrul Islam thanked all concerned.

Later, the President also took part in a photo session with the members of NDC and AFWC graduates at Bangabhaban.

-BSS.