Presidential Parade 2019 of the Passing out Cadets of 'Midshipman
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Presidential Parade 2019 of the Passing Out Cadets of ‘Midshipman-2017 Alfa’ & ‘Direct Entry Officer-2019 Bravo’ Batches Speech by Sheikh Hasina Honorable Prime Minister Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh BNA, Chattogram, Sunday, 7 Poush 1426, 22 December 2019 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Colleagues, Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force, Dear Parents, Sailors, and My Dear Trainee Officers Assalamu Alaikum, I would like to extend my heartiest greetings and congratulations to you all present in the President Parade 2019 of the passing out cadets of ‘Midshipman-2017 alfa’ and ‘Direct Entry Officer-2019 bravo’ courses arranged by the Bangladesh Naval Academy. I am indeed very happy to be here with you in this august occasion for the young officers. In the month of our great victory, I respectfully remember the greatest Bangali of all times, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under whose sole dictations, after long nine months bloody liberation war, we achieved the long cherished independence. I recall four national leaders, 3-million martyrs of our liberation war and 2- hundred thousand mothers and sisters who sacrificed their modesty for the cause of independence. Salam to all the freedom fighters. I recall the great bravery and sacrifice of all valiant Naval Commandos and martyrs including Bir Shrestho Shaheed Ruhul Amin, ERA-1. Remembering with deep grief the martyrs on 15th August 1975, may Allah keep them in paradise. Dear Audience, Bangladesh Navy had been inaugurated through formation of a Naval Commando during our liberation war under the Mukti Bahinee, who had attacked Pakistani Naval forces in various points including Chattagram-Mongla seaports and Chandpur-Narayanganj river ports areas. They had destroyed a number of Pakistani war vessels. This operation is being remembered as the ‘Operation Jackpot’ in our glorious history. Soon after independence, Bangladesh Navy began its official journey with 2 patrol crafts procured on Bangabandhu’s personal initiative. Later, he commissioned all the major bases of the Navy on the same day in 1974. The adoption of the ‘Territorial Waters and Maritime Zones Act, 1974’ is a testimony of the visionary leadership of Bangabandhu for which, it has become easier to acquire a huge maritime zone in our time. Dear Audiences, In 1996, the Awami League Government took various pragmatic steps to transform the Navy into a modern and time-befitting Force. That time, we worked for development of naval infrastructure, procurement of modern warships and boosting of operational efficiency of existing fleets. In 2009, our government formulated a perspective plan called "Forces Goal 2030" in light with the Bangabandhu’s "Defence Policy" and started faster implementation accordingly. From that time onward, we have been elected for consecutive three terms, and as a result, under our government’s initiative a total of 27 ships were added to Bangladesh navy. We have established the Navy’s special commando wing called ‘Special Warfare, Diving and Salvage Command’ and the Navy’s aviation wing under the name of ‘Naval Aviation’. Inclusion of the long cherished 2 submarines in 2017 has truly transformed Bangladesh Navy into a full-fledged three-dimensional force. To cope up with the challenges of 21st century, considering the context of the regional and geo-political realities, our government has been working relentlessly to enrich Navy into a technology based efficient Force. Under patronization of Awami League government, administered by the expert management of Bangladesh Navy, Khulna Shipyard Limited has established a milestone in naval- vessel building by fabrication of 5 patrol crafts and 2 large patrol crafts. Building of additional 5 patrol crafts is currently under progress. Besides, decision has been taken to build another 6 well-equipped large frigates at BN administered Chattogram Dry Dock Limited. Navy is also making IFF (Identification of Friend and Foe) systems for the three Forces. It is expected that, through all these projects Bangladesh Navy will be able to be a commercial manufacturer of warships in the days to come. This in turn, will flourish the home grown technologies by which we may earn foreign currencies. This will eventually create employment and establish Bangladesh as a self-reliant nation in the world. Recently, a new base named BNS SHEIKH MUJIB has recently been commissioned in Khilkhet, Dhaka. Construction of two large bases, BNS SHER-E-BANGLA and submarine base BNS SHEIKH HASINA is progressing faster. Besides, with a view to develop training facilities and living standard, 22 multi-storied buildings in different naval areas and Navy Township project in Savar have been inaugurated. Out of the military sphere, the Navy is constantly working in wide-range sectors like promotion of women empowerment, construction of accommodation for forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, and expansion of blue economy which have created a notable impact in country’s security and economic development. Dear Audience, It was a dream cherished by Bangabandhu to establish international standard military academies to develop ideal military leadership from the youth of the country. To materialize that dream, "Bangabandhu Complex" was inaugurated on 21 March 2018, featuring all modern training facilities. With this complex the training facilities in Bangladesh Naval Academy has attained international standard. Dear Midshipman and Direct Entry Officers, Today, 72 promising young officers of ‘Midshipman 2017 Alpha’ and ‘DEO 2019 Bravo’ batches are stepping out of the Academy and entering into naval career. You will be the future leaders of this Navy to safeguard our motherland. At this moment, I would like to remind you the historic directives to the Navy cadets that the Father of the Nation spelled out at the celebration of Bangladesh Navy Day on 10 December 1974, “My country people have performed my directives and thus Bangladesh has become an independent state. If you are bound to my deeds, if you do follow the discipline, if you keep faith upon the God, stand against the unlawful activities, and be honest, Insha-Allah, you will see ‘Sonar Bangla’ will be the ‘Sonar Bangla’”. Therefore, you should keep in mind that the end of this rigorous training is just a beginning of attaining the excellence. Strengthened by honesty, leadership and sacrifice in heart and mind, you have to be ever ready to defend the sovereignty of the country. Our ocean is a source of vast resources. The importance of this newly acquired maritime area after successful delimitation of maritime disputes with Myanmar and India has greatly increased. You will have to be prepared to sacrifice your most to ensure safeguard of this immensely resourceful area in terms of fisheries, marine resources and minerals. There are practices of cooperation between Armed Forces and Civil Administration in rescue operation and rehabilitation works during natural disasters in the coastal region and also in the national emergency. For sake of the nation, I would urge you to come forward with a mindset of cooperation. Dear Parents, Undertaking the sacred oath to serve the nation till last breath, your worthy offspring are going to be commissioned as Navy officers. You are definitely a part of this glorious success. Let me express my heartfelt congratulations to you. May I ask you to pray to the Almighty so that each of your sons and daughters become a role model of courage and patriotism. 2 Dear Trainee Officers, I am overwhelmed with joy witnessing your wonderful Parade. I sincerely thank all those, whose hard work has made today’s program a wonderful one. Today, Bangladesh is regarded as a ‘Miracle of Development’ in the world for its faster pace in socio-economic development. We achieved a record 8.15 percent GDP growth. The poverty rate has now decreased to 20.5 percent. Our per capita income has risen to US$1,909. We are implementing a number of mega infrastructure development projects such as Padma bridge, metro-rail, elevated express-ways, rail, and waterways across the country. We are the first in the world to implement a hundred years plan- “The Delta Plan-2100”. Our government is working in adherence to the ‘zero tolerance policy’ against militancy, terrorism and drug menace. We have established the rule of law in the country. Bangladesh’s contribution to the various international forums for establishing global peace has been lauded. We have also joined the elite club of the satellite technology as the 57th nation of the world through launching Bangabandhu Satellite-1. These have been in reality only because of the development thought of Bangladesh Awami League and its successful implementation. Bangladesh and UNESCO will jointly celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu next year. We have been working unceasingly to make Bangladesh a middle income country by 2021, and a developed-prosperous one by 2041. On the eve of the golden jubilee of our independence, we all have to work sincerely to frustrating all sorts of conspiracy against democracy and the government. I would like to call upon you all to play due role from your respective positions to accelerate the development, uphold democratic polity and establish good governance being imbued with the spirit of liberation war. Today, Bangladesh has been at the crossroads of a golden opportunity. Navy is also developing along with the country’s economic development. I wish the perpetual progress and prosperity of Bangladesh Navy and Bangladesh Naval Academy. I wish you all the best. Khoda Hafez. Joi Bangla, Joi Bangabandhu May Bangladesh Live Forever. ... 3 .