PM Urges Bangladeshi Expats To Work For Brightening The Country’s Image

She also called upon them to contribute more for strengthening the economy of Bangladesh and uphold the spirit of the war of liberation and values of ideology of the independence.

According to a message received here the Prime Minister was addressing a civic reception accorded to her by the expatriate Bangladeshi citizens at Milanofiroriin hotel in Milan, Italy on Friday evening. Awami League Italy chapter organized the reception.

Sheikh Hasina said, expatriate Bangladeshis are contributing a lot in many ways for the development and welfare of the country. The remittances they send are keeping the wheel of economy active.

Recalling their role in various struggles and democratic movements as well as in the war of independence, she said, their immense contribution ensured establishing the rights of the people in the country.

The Prime Minister said, the moment the democracy of Bangladesh fell into any crisis the expatriate nationals played very strong role to restore the democratic process, build up public opinion against assassination of the Father of the Nation and military rule.

Criticizing BNP and Jamaat for giving indulgence to corruption, militancy and money laundering, the Prime Minister said the unholy alliance whenever came to power has taken the country sprouted corruption, promoted money laundering, terrorism and militancy.

They killed many popular Awami Leaders including Shah AMS Kibria, Ahsan Ullah Master and Ivy Rahman. Out of their greediness for power they tried to destroy Awami League to make way to remain in power forever.

Referring to BNP-Jamat led destructive activities across the country to foil January 5, 2014 general election, she said, they killed people including police, members of BGB and the Army, uprooted railway fish-plates, set fire on buses and trains, burnt holy Quran and mosque creating anarchy in the country.

She said the defeated forces of 1971 had turned Bangladesh into a 'nation of killers' after 1975 by rewarding the assassins of the Father of the nation in many ways and rehabilitating them in politics.

Military dictator Ziaur Rahman and subsequently Ershad and Khaleda Zia made the killers members of parliament, leader of the opposition in the Jatiya Sansgsad as well as gave them posting in foreign missions.

Sheikh Hasina said, her government relieved the nation of a big stigma through executing killers of Bangabandhu and taking initiative for trial of the war criminals of 1971.

Awami League President also highlighted her government's successes during last five years and 8 months saying her government has set a vision for establishing the country as a middle income one by 2021.

The Prime Minister mentioned that her government has been able to settle the long standing dispute over maritime boundary with India and Myanmar, creating huge opportunity for the country to explore sea resources for country's development.

Sheikh Hasina also elaborated various measures implemented for the development of education, healthcare, power and energy, communication, agriculture, social safety and ICT sectors.

She expressed the hope that Bangladesh would be a middle income country by 2021 and a developed one by the year 2041 with the coordinated efforts of all including expatriate Bangladeshis.

With Awami League Italy Unit President Idris Faraezi in the chair, the function was also addressed by All European Awami League President Anil Das Gupta, General Secretary M A Gani and UK Awami League President Sultan Sharif.

Huge number of expatriate Bangladeshis including Awami League leaders and workers from different parts of Italy and from European countries attended the reception.

-Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)