Development to continue whatever risks come: PM

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today vowed to continue the country’s development spree whatever risks come, calling all to act cautiously keeping in mind the dangers of disasters.

“We always think the country is ours. So, whatever risks will come, the development spree will surely be continued. — We will surely step forward towards the development facing everything. We have been working to pursue the goal,” she said.

The prime minister said this while addressing a function marking 50 years of the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) and the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), from her official Ganabhaban residence here through a video conferencing.

She also opened CPP’s four units — Druto Saradan Unit (quick response unit), Pani Theke Uddar Kora Unit (rescue from water unit), Oti Joar Monitoring O Saradan Unit (high-tide monitoring and response unit) and Khelay Khelay Durjog Prostoti Unit (disaster preparedness with fun).

She hoped that these units will help CPP accelerate disaster management work.

The prime minister said Bangladesh is becoming as an ideal country to counter the disasters in the world due to the government’s tireless efforts following footsteps of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

She called upon all concerned to work accordingly to uphold the global dignity of Bangladesh as a disaster resilient country.

State Minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Dr. Md. Enamur Rahman and its Secretary Md. Mohsin spoke on the occasion from Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.

PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus moderated the function from the Ganabhaban while local public representatives including lawmakers, government officials and others got connected to it from the Muktijoddha Math, Cox’s Bazar end.

The prime minister earlier unveiled a book titled “Durjog Sahonshil Bangladesh Binirmane Sheikh Hasina (Sheikh Hasina in building disaster resilient Bangladesh).

On behalf of the premier, the state minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief distributed “lifetime honorary medal” to three best organizers and six volunteers, including three women, for their outstanding contribution to the field of disaster risk management.

The lifetime awardees are: organizers Saidur Rahman, AKM Hasan Al Rashid, and AJM Golam Rabbani and volunteers, Shova Rani Das, Ratna Rani Dey, Hawa Begum, Fazlul Karim, Abdul Hasim Siraj Kazi, and Md Hanif.

Bangladesh is observing the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction with the local theme “Work together for disaster risk reduction” in line with the global theme for the 2021 edition, “International cooperation for developing countries to reduce disaster risk and disaster losses.”

The premier later witnessed a cultural programme that included a brief drama on disaster preparedness, staged at the Cox’s Bazar end.

A video documentary on 50 years of CPP: Bangabandhu to Sheikh Hasina was also screened at the function. (BSS)