Economy
PM asks to offer befitting reply to anti-Bangladesh propaganda
PM Sheikh Hasina called upon Bangladeshi expatriates to give a befitting reply to the propaganda against Bangladesh and its government.
“Give an instant befitting reply to the propaganda being carried out against us,” she said while addressing a reception accorded by the Bangladeshi expatriates in the USA, joining virtually from her palace of residence on Saturday.
The premier also urged the expats to present true picture of the country’s unprecedented development that took place during the Awami League (AL) government and move around the world keeping head high and maintaining the dignity and honour Bangladesh achieved globally.
She said relatives of the war criminals and killers of the Father of the Nation alongside the people who fled the country committing various crimes that included money laundering are behind the anti-state propaganda.
“The people, who are orchestrating the propaganda on the social media, are mostly sacked from the jobs for their involvement in misdeeds or fled the country committing crimes,” she said.
The premier called upon all to make public the characters and misdeeds of the people who are now giving lessons to others by spreading false and fabricated information about the government and Bangladesh using social media.
“Don’t pay heed to their words, rather present the development scenario carried out by us to the people,” she added.
Sheikh Hasina called upon all Bangladeshi expatriates to spread her government’s development picture to all places.
“Inform congressmen, senators and elected representatives in your locality about the development of Bangladesh and maintain communication with them,” she said. To this end, she said you can judge how much development was carried out by them after seeing the comparative picture of the size of the budget during the BNP-Jamaat alliance government and the Awami League government.
“The size of the budget during the BNP tenure was only Tk 60,000 crore while the last budget of the AL government was Taka six lakh crore,” she said.
The prime minister reiterated her call to the expats to move around the world keeping Bangladesh’s image intact, saying, “I urge you all to uphold the dignity and honour that Bangladesh has now achieved from the world.”
She thanked the Bangladeshi expatriates for taking stand against the World Bank’s decision of withdrawing their funds from the Padma Multipurpose Bridge project bringing false and fabricated allegations which were later proved by a Canadian court.
The decision of constructing the Padma Bridge by Bangladesh’s own finance has changed the image of the country to the world and proved that Bangladesh has the ability to do what it said, Sheikh Hasina said.
The prime minister once again alerted the countrymen about the impending severe food crisis in the world due to climate change, the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, sanctions and counter-sanctions, urging them to grow more foods to ward off the future crisis.
“As a severe food crisis is approaching the world, ask your relatives not to leave a single inch of land uncultivated using the digital divide as Bangladesh has already been transformed into a digital country,” she asked the Bangladeshi expatriates.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login