Help rural people get vaccines, PM asks Swechchhasebak League

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wednesday asked Bangladesh Awami Swechchhasebak League (BASL) leaders and activists to help rural people get vaccines and motivate them to go for Covid-19 test for their proper treatment.

“We're taking initiatives to provide vaccines in rural areas massively, and pre-registration would not be mandatory there rather people can receive the jab by showing their ID cards on the basis of spot registration,” she said.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina directed the BASL leaders and activists across the country to extend cooperation to the people.

The premier was addressing a discussion as the chief guest virtually on the occasion of the 27th founding anniversary of BASL, the volunteers' wing of Bangladesh Awami League, at its central office in Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital.

Sheikh Hasina, also the AL president, said people’s fear regarding the Covid-19 inoculation has almost gone, but one thing is still prevailing there and that is the test for the lethal virus.

“None wants to go for a test, but if he/she does it (Covid-19 test), he/she will receive proper treatment ... it will not only help them but also protect others from the deadly virus infection," she said.

The premier continued: "All have to make efforts to motivate the people to this end, and our party (Awami League) people can do it."

AL Joint General Secretary and BASL former president AFM Bahauddin Nasim also spoke on the occasion as the special guest.

BASL President Nirmal Ranjan Guha delivered welcome address while general secretary Afzalur Rahman Babu moderated the ceremony.

A documentary on the last one year's activities of BASL and on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Prime Minister’s ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy was screened at the event.

The prime minister also unveiled the cover of a book titled “Swechchhasebar Ek Bochhor" (one year of voluntary services).

Praising the role of the BASL and activists in conducting humanitarian work during this pandemic, Sheikh Hasina said: "You've set an unique instance by serving the vulnerable people  and you've to  continue it."

She reminded them saying “Keep in mind that it's our ideology and it’s our job. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has taught us this lesson."

The premier said the government is collecting vaccines for the country’s nearly 80 percent people who are eligible to receive the jab as per WHO guidelines.

“Vaccine is being procured wherever it is available, and a separate fund has been raised for it. We'll spend more (money) if it is required (for inoculation),” she said.

The prime minister mentioned that 1.87 crore people have been brought under Covid-19 vaccines.

The AL president said two types of politics are now prevailing in the country --- one is some people are doing politics for their own luxury and make money, while the other is a group serves people through politics, which had been practiced by the Father of the Nation.

Mentioning that people have realized the government is their servant when Awami League came to power, she said: “We're working for the welfare of the people and will continue it.”

Sheikh Hasina said she has seen that all associate organisations of Awami League have been working for the people massively, and they always stand beside the affected people during any call.

“No scarcity of political parties in the country, but the Swechchhasebak League has been working and standing beside people visibly which is really a public service, not any photo session,” she observed.

Highlighting the BASL role in tree plantation for protecting the environment apart from serving the Covid-19 patients, she urged all to continue the tree plantation in this monsoon.

Sheikh Hasina also recalled the memories of the birth of her son and her ICT affairs adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy as he was born on this day in 1971.

She also narrated the struggle of Joy in his academic life even after becoming a son of the prime minister. “Joy got admission in MIT, when I became the prime minister of the country. But due to my concentration in running the country, I failed to give money to him, resulting in cancellation of his admission in MIT," she recalled.

The prime minister said today Bangladesh is a digital country and its full credit goes to Joy as he provided a total concept and layout for this digitization.