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Awami League Unveils ‘Smart Bangladesh’ Vision in Election Manifesto
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Awami League (AL), presented the party’s election manifesto, focusing on the vision of “Smart Bangladesh.”
The announcement took place at the AL manifesto program held on December 27, 2023, at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital. Sheikh Hasina emphasized the party’s commitment to building a modern, technology-oriented nation, outlining key priorities, including a Universal Health System and a balanced approach to import and export trade.
Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Hasina reflected on AL’s past achievements, mentioning the successful implementation of Vision 2021 outlined in the 2008 election manifesto. She underscored the importance of balanced import and export trade to ensure stability in foreign exchange supply, advocating for stringent measures to recover defaulted loans.
The Prime Minister highlighted the significance of policy interest rates in controlling money supply and inflation, expressing the party’s commitment to extending credit for self-employment opportunities for trained youth. Sheikh Hasina unveiled the pillars of “Smart Bangladesh” – Smart Citizens, Smart Government, Smart Economy, and Smart Society – essential for global competition in the fourth industrial revolution era.
In a bid to eradicate hunger and poverty, Sheikh Hasina pledged to transform Bangladesh into a smart, developed country by 2041. The healthcare sector’s modernization featured prominently in the manifesto, with plans for a Universal Health System, digital healthcare initiatives, and the establishment of international-standard specialized hospitals.
The manifesto emphasized advancements in basic health and family welfare services, continuation of free primary healthcare and medicine distribution through community clinics, and the introduction of health IDs for every citizen. Sheikh Hasina also announced support for the country’s Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) industry, controlled antibiotic use, and improved mental health and autism healthcare facilities.
AL’s manifesto aligns with Sheikh Hasina’s goals of achieving a developed nation status by 2041, building on the long-term action plans outlined in previous election manifestos. AL’s commitment to perfecting democracy and overcoming challenges was echoed by General Secretary Obaidul Quader, who highlighted Sheikh Hasina’s inspirational leadership and the party’s resilience in the face of conspiracies and terrorism.
In the upcoming election, AL’s manifesto will prioritize 11 key issues, including commodity price stability, youth education and employment, Smart Bangladesh initiatives, integrated agriculture systems, affordable healthcare, financial sector efficiency, universal pension, law enforcement accountability, and combating communalism, terrorism, and militancy.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
