Economy
Prof Yunus Honors Youth Sacrifices, Vows to Reshape Bangladesh
Anarchy and violence are hurdles to development, and those engaging in criminal activities must be stopped, asserted Dr. Prof. Muhammad Yunus, the designated chief adviser of the forthcoming government.
“I have been informed that acts of vandalism and violence are rampant in the country. All kinds of attacks, including those targeting minorities, must come to an end. These attacks are part of a conspiracy and have no affiliation with us,” Dr. Yunus remarked during a press conference he held after arriving at Dhaka airport today (8 August).
Upon his arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Prof. Yunus was received by Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M. Nazmul Hassan. The coordinator of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement was also present at the scene.
‘Bangladesh Achieved Independence for the Second Time’
Referring to the events of Monday (5 August) as a moment of national pride, Dr. Yunus stated, “I extend my gratitude to the younger generation for safeguarding and rejuvenating our nation. We have achieved independence for the second time, and it is our duty to preserve this renewed freedom.”
Highlighting that the revolution has paved a new way to victory for Bangladesh, he added, “We must carry this momentum forward with even greater resolve.”
Dr. Yunus stressed the importance of protecting the nation’s independence and ensuring that its benefits are shared by all citizens.
“Freedom without fair distribution is meaningless. The independence of Bangladesh signifies a deep transformation—a shift in the people, opportunities, and the direction of future generations,” Yunus elaborated.
He conveyed his heartfelt appreciation to the youth, the architects of this victory.
“They were the saviors who gave birth to a new nation. We must ensure that Bangladesh advances rapidly,” he added.
‘The Country Is Now in the Hands of the Young People’
Dr. Yunus declared, “The country is now in the hands of the youth. I urge them to rebuild the nation according to their vision, so that the world looks at us and learns how to rise from adversity. We need to overhaul our state structure and eliminate all elements of fear, so that people can trust that the state exists to protect them.”
He continued, “I call upon the youth to embrace the new and let go of the old. We will not achieve true freedom by clinging to the past. This principle applies not only to Bangladesh but to the entire world. Channel your energy and creativity. It is about expression, not mere establishment.”
Prof. Yunus emphasized that the youth have accomplished remarkable feats, and now it is time to put those achievements to practical use. “We must revamp the entire system,” he said.
Yunus Vows to Move Forward Together, Bring About Change
Expressing his desire to move forward collectively, Dr. Yunus vowed to dispel all confusions, asserting, “Anarchy and violence are obstacles to development, and we must restrain those responsible for these crimes.”
During the briefing, the Nobel laureate shared his vision of restructuring law enforcement agencies, stating, “We will rebuild our law enforcement institutions in such a manner that we can look up to them and follow their guidance.”
“The journey begins today,” Yunus concluded.
Dr. Prof. Muhammad Yunus also committed to reforming Bangladesh’s state structure, emphasizing his dedication to transforming the interim government into a people-centered institution.
‘Abu Sayed Is in the Hearts of All’
In an emotionally charged environment, the Nobel laureate, in a heartfelt speech, recalled the sacrifices made by students whose protests were brutally suppressed by the Sheikh Hasina-led government, resulting in over 250 deaths.
He spoke specifically about Abu Sayeed, who was fatally shot by police in Rangpur, breaking down in tears during the press conference at Dhaka airport on 8 August.
“Abu Sayeed’s image is etched in the hearts of every Bangladeshi. No one will ever forget it. This incredibly brave youth stood in front of the guns. His courage sparked a fire that has never been extinguished. Inspired by his example, no youth accepted defeat and continued to march forward,” he said.
“They [the youth] questioned how many bullets the authorities could fire. We will not waver from our commitment to spread the message in every household so that everyone understands the meaning of our new independence,” he concluded.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
