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.
A US delegation, visiting Bangladesh today (15 September), met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guesthouse Jamuna, engaging in discussions on a range of mutual interests. According to the US Embassy in Dhaka, the meeting underscored the United States’ commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth, institution building, and development to benefit the people of Bangladesh.
“As Bangladesh strives for a more equitable and inclusive future, the US stands ready to support these efforts,” the Embassy noted after the event.
The US delegation included Donald Lu, US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, who arrived in Dhaka following his India tour. He participated in this morning’s meeting alongside other key US and Bangladeshi officials.
Bangladesh’s interim government expressed optimism about holding “multi-dimensional” discussions with the visiting delegation.
Brent Neiman, Assistant Secretary for International Finance at the US Department of the Treasury, was part of the interagency delegation engaged in discussions with the Bangladeshi interim government. Lutfey Siddiqui, the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs, also joined the meeting.
The US delegation later met with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the state guesthouse Padma.
Assistant United States Trade Representative Brandon Lynch, also part of the multi-agency US team, held talks focused on bilateral relations between the two nations.
Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin hosted a working lunch at the Padma State Guesthouse, where discussions delved into how the United States can contribute to Bangladesh’s economic growth, financial stability, and development needs.
This delegation marks the first US visit to Bangladesh since the formation of the interim government led by Chief Adviser Professor Yunus on August 8. Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin emphasized that the arrival of this delegation highlights the significance the United States places on its relationship with Bangladesh, with discussions expected to cover a wide array of topics, not just economic cooperation.
A visiting high-level delegation from the United States reaffirmed its commitment today (15 September) to aid Bangladesh in expanding economic opportunities, strengthening institutional capacity, and upholding human rights, according to a statement from the US Embassy.
“We are committed to helping expand economic opportunities, build institutional capacity, uphold human rights, and mitigate climate risks with our partner, Bangladesh,” the embassy announced on its official Facebook page, following a meeting between Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and the delegation at the state guest house Padma in Dhaka.
The US delegation, led by Brent Neiman, Assistant Secretary for International Finance at the US Department of Treasury, also included Donald Lu, US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, and other senior officials.
The embassy further expressed its enthusiasm, stating, “Great to meet the Foreign Affairs Advisor at Padma House.”
The delegation is set to meet with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and attend a working lunch hosted by the foreign secretary at the state guest house Padma.
Earlier, a US State Department spokesperson noted that the discussions would center on how the US can contribute to Bangladesh’s economic growth, financial stability, and development priorities.
In a meeting held on Saturday (14 September), garment factory owners across the country unanimously agreed to resume operations starting today. However, it was also decided that individual factories may be closed according to legal procedures, in order to protect the industry and national interests, while safeguarding workers’ employment. This measure would apply particularly if workers refuse to work, leave the premises, or attempt to instigate disturbances.
The decision came during a discussion on the current crisis facing the ready-made garment (RMG) industry, held at the BGMEA complex in Uttara, Dhaka. The meeting, chaired by BGMEA president Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, was attended by key government advisers and leaders from BGMEA, BKMEA, and labor unions.
Expressing serious concern about the ongoing labor unrest, participants warned that the instability could jeopardize the vital export-oriented garment sector. The advisers urged factory owners to continue operations and assured them of government support, including enhanced security measures, should unrest arise.
