President M Abdul Hamid on Thursday urged the global youths to take lessons from the ideals and works of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and devote themselves in the service of their respective countries and peoples.
"I would urge the youth of the world to take lessons from the ideals and works of Bangabandhu . . . Devote yourselves to serve your respective countries and peoples, just like Bangabandhu," he said, inaugurating the "Bangabandhu Global Youth Leadership Award (BGYLA)" at Osmani Auditorium.
The head of the state virtually joined the programme from the Gallery Hall of Bangabhaban Thursday afternoon, from where secretaries concerned and senior officials also witnessed the event on a big screen.
Foreign Affairs Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) President Taha Ayhan and the Youth and Sports Ministry's Senior Secretary Md Akhter Hossain also spoke at the function while State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel was in the chair.
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Referring to the works of Bangabandhu and the twin mega historic events - his birth centenary and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh Independence, Hamid said, "I myself was very fortunate that I was a close aide of the Father of the Nation and was a part of his journey."
The President said Bangladesh has made some great social and economic progress in recent times as the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is making relentless efforts to realize Bangabandhu's dream of a 'Sonar Bangla'.
Bangladesh is moving forward at an irresistible pace on the highway of development for attaining the status of a developing country in the globe, he mentioned.
"If this progress speed for the sustainable development continues, Bangladesh will turn into a developed and prosperous country by 2041," he observed.
Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent affects worldwide, the President said presently the whole world, including Bangladesh, is fighting against the corona pandemic and the incumbent government has been making all-out efforts to contain the situation.
President Hamid said arrangements have been made to bring all the citizens of the country under vaccination in phases.
Despite the negative impacts of the Corona pandemic on the world economy, he said, the government has been able to maintain the economic growth due to the timely and courageous steps taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Naming of this event after the Father of the Nation serves a meaningful purpose to recognize the efforts of the youths at in Bangladesh and all over the world in different fields, the President added.
In his brief address, Abdul Hamid described the emergence of the country under the charismatic leadership of Bangabandhu who was uncompromising in establishing people's rights, despite manifold challenges.
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Terming the youth force, one third of its total population, the key-factor, he said the government, specially the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has been relentlessly working to utilize the potentials of this huge force in accomplishing the vision for turning Bangladesh into a developed nation.
At the very outset, the President paid profound tributes to Bangabandhu, the greatest Bangali of all time, four national leaders and valiant freedom fighters who made supreme sacrifices for the independence.
Abdul Hamid also recalled the contributions of Bangladesh's foreign friends and supporters with due respect who extended their supports during the War of Liberation in 1971.
