PM urges leaders to work together for prosperous South Asia

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday urged the political leaders and policymakers of South Asia to work in unison, saying fate of the people of this region can easily be possible to improve utilizing the endowed resources through mutual cooperation. “We can easily improve the fate of the people of South Asia by utilizing the resources we have been endowed through exhibiting mutual cooperation,” she said.

While addressing the auspicious moment of celebrating the birth centenary of Father of the Nation and Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence, Sheikh Hasina said “I called upon the political leaders and policymakers of South Asia to work hand in hand to build a peaceful and prosperous South Asia.”

Pointing out that the people of this region possess unbelievable spirit, innovation, and the ability to survive against natural disasters, she said “If we work together for the betterment of our people, South Asia will surely be flourished as one of the most prosperous regions in the world.”

Sheikh Hasina, who chaired the function, noted South Asia is home to about a quarter of the world population and said as much as there are challenges, there are a lot of possibilities as well in this region.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering joined as the guest of honor on the 8th day programmes of the 10-day grand celebrations of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of independence at the National Parade Square here this afternoon.

Bangabandhu’s youngest daughter and the Prime Minister’s younger sister Sheikh Rehana was also present at the function. At the ceremony, video messages of Pope Francis and Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi were screened.

The Bhutanese Premier became the fourth among the world leaders to attend the celebrations. To mark the 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Bangladesh, Dr Lotay Tshering handed over commemorative postage stamps to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Earlier, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and his spouse Fazna Ahmed graced the opening ceremony of the celebrations on March 17, while Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa joined the third day and Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari joined the 6th day. To join the celebrations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive here on March 26.

The theme of the celebrations is “The Eternal Mujib” but a separate theme for each day has been selected with today’s one being “Bangabandhu: Pioneer of Peach, Freedom and Humanity”. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen delivered welcome address while eminent political scientist Dr Rounaq Jahan made keynote presentation on today’s theme.

A video presentation by former foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali, MP on today’s theme was also played.