President Mohammed Shahabuddin today asked the President Guard Regiment (PGR) to perform duties properly with outmost devotion maintaining 'chain of command'.
"Be faithful to the chain of command and carry out any responsibility reposed in you properly," he said while addressing a function as the chief guest at PGR headquarters in Dhaka Cantonment coinciding with its 49th founding anniversary.
The head of state said: "Remember, any self-sacrifice in fulfilling the great responsibility assigned to you by the country and the nation will make you memorable forever in the history."
The president said: "In the contemporary global context, security has taken an extensive multi-dimensional form as innovation and expansion of the newer technologies further expanded it. So, you need to flourish knowledge and efficiency in this regard, for which, it requires sophisticated equipment and training".
Shahabuddin also called on the PGR members to impart training, maintain discipline, focus on self-improvement and above all to keep physical fitness.
The head of the state advised to strengthen the existing training program if necessary to further develop professional skills and reach global standards. He said as part of a professional army, the PGR should move forward towards a further bright future.
Along with economic development of the country, Bangabandhu established the PGR on July 5, 1975 to ensure national security and the security of the state's most important personalities, he added.
Calling the founding anniversary as a special day for every PGR personnel, he said as members of PGR formed by Bangabandhu, they are working for the welfare of the country and the people as well.
"It is undoubtedly a matter of great joy and pride," the president continued.
Referring to the killings of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members on the fateful night of August 15, 1975, he said, "But it is sad but true that only 42 days after the establishment of PGR, Bangabandhu along with his most of the family members were assassinated by the anti-Liberation forces".
"That day we failed to protect the dreamer of our freedom that was our unforgivable sin," he added.
He said if the PGR was as well organized and smart as it is today, then maybe the assailant could not have killed the Father of the Nation on the night of August 15".
"The history of development and progress of Bangalees and Bangladesh could have been different if Bangabandhu wasn't killed and the country earlier would have become 'Sonar Bangla' envisioned by him, he added.
Lauding the overall activities of the PGR members', the president said their responsibility is very important and glorious as well.
Over the years, they have enhanced the country's image by ensuring the security of many Very Important Persons (VIP) of the country apart from various state functions, he said.
The government prioritizes the overall development of PGR, he said, adding that efforts would continue to make this regiment more integrated and modernized in the days to come.
With the aim of modernising, expanding and strengthening the defense system of the army in the light of Forces Goal-2030, three new divisions, brigades, special works organizations and, 58 small and large units under various formations have been established, he added.
Shahabuddin said since its inception, the PGR members have set a shining example of self-sacrifice in performing duties with a sense of responsibility, professional excellence, patriotism and devotion.
The reputation of PGR should be spread beyond the borders by carrying out duties properly, he said.
Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman and PGR Commander Brigadier General Khaled Kamal welcomed the president at the PGR Darbar at the Shaheed Captain Hafiz Hall of PGR Headquarters in the Dhaka Cantonment.
Concerned secretaries to the president's office and senior military and civil officials were present on the occasion.
The president, also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Division, visited the quarter guard and signed the visitor's book.
He cuts a cake to mark the founding anniversary there.
