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A new year, with new hope

Published : Sunday, 1 January, 2017 at 12:00 AM  Count : 253
Ahmed Tahsin Shams
The year 2016 went through various sheds, some achievements, some challenges. To be better than yesterday, we are moving towards a new year, with new hope and courage. The path was not out of thorns, yet the journey bloomed many victories.
Certainly, the present government has to be credited for the basket of feats, almost full-to-the-brim. Syed Badrul Ahsan's article titled 'Reflections of a Citizen' is worth citing to set sail with:
"Yes, it is her courage, her steadfastness of purpose, her resilience which have made Sheikh Hasina the formidable politician she is today. Of course, there are the frailties, the indiscretions, the faux pas that emanate from her as they do from other politicians around the world. But for Bangladesh's people, her leadership has been a historical necessity. Until she came along, no one really believed that Bangabandhu's assassins could be brought to justice. Until she arrived, no one could imagine that the perpetrators of war crimes in 1971 could have their comeuppance. Until she took charge of her party, few thought that the long era of military and quasi-military rule would see its twilight. She has succeeded in achieving all three of these goals - and more."
Bangladesh is setting a global standard in ending poverty. US presidential security adviser Henry Kissinger dubbed the country a "basket case" at its birth in 1971. Bangladesh emerged from the ashes of a gory War of Independence as the world's second poorest nation. From 2000 onwards, the economy has been growing consistently at 6 per cent a year on average. Development officials from other nations now visit Bangladesh to decipher the secrets of its success.
Bangladesh gave the world a revolutionary new micro-financing model to monetize the productivity of the poor and showed that a predominantly Muslim country could unleash the potential of its women, making them a significant partner in progress. Its Female Stipends program, widely acclaimed as a model for achieving gender parity of enrolment, has been replicated successfully in several countries. Its vibrant garment sector is giving a whole generation of women jobs that open new opportunities.
Today, Bangladesh is a lower middle-income country with a bright future as a member of the "Next 11", according to US investment bank Goldman Sachs. The image of Bangladesh as a country with endemic poverty could soon change as Bangladesh finds new pathways to sustainable and equitable growth and aims to achieve middle-income country status by its 50th birthday in 2021.
As the only female leader among the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states, --- Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has been ranked 10 in The World's Fiercest Female Leaders. She has deftly navigated the competing demands of Islamic tradition and women's rights. She has committed Bangladesh, the nation with the world's fourth-largest Muslim population, to securing legal protections for women and helping them attain more education, financial freedom, and political power. About 30% of adult women in Bangladesh now have at least a secondary �education-and the �nation scores better on the World Economic Forum's Gender Gap Index than any other South Asian country.
During Xi Jinping`s visit, Chinese President told media, "We agreed to elevate China-Bangladesh relations from a closer comprehensive partnership of cooperation to a strategic partnership of cooperation and to increase high-level exchanges and strategic communication, so that our bilateral relations continue to move ahead at a higher level."  
Moreover, US State Secretary John Kerry arrived in Dhaka on August 29 to discuss the global challenge, preventing the rise of militancy and violent extremism in Bangladesh and the region.
Furthermore, World Bank President Kim`s visited Bangladesh and heaped praises upon the country, its people and leadership for becoming a model for poverty reduction despite being saddled with a long list of hardships. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has proved that it is wrong to depend on foreign aids for the country`s development. Bangladesh is now well-off enough to complete any project with own-funds.
Even Australian High Commissioner talked to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, "You are the champion of economic development and women empowerment."
There has been a remarkable success in power sector. The government has set a target to generate 24,000 MW electricity by 2021 and 40,000 MW by 2030 to cover the whole country with electricity.
Recently, President Abdul Hamid on December 18, 2016 said discussions with political parties will play an important role in forming a strong Election Commission (EC).
"Election is very important in a democratic process. And the Election Commission plays the main role in conducting elections. Today's discussion is very important for democracy. I think today's discussion and your (BNP) well-thought out opinions will play an important role in forming a strong Election Commission," he said.
Abdul Hamid made the remarks during a discussion with an 11-member BNP delegation, led by its Chairperson Khaleda Zia, at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban. Through the dialogue with the BNP delegation, the President initiated discussions with registered political parties over the formation of a new EC. President Hamid said discussions and views-exchange open up multiple paths for solution to any problems.
Regarding politics, a non-bias atmosphere is hopeful, the president and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia is optimistic, as well as the country people.   
It is true that Bangladesh has many challenges to meet till date, yet the journey Bangladesh has travelled with triumph gives us a hope of bright future, a new sunrise of being a developed country one day. The Daily Observer wishes all a very Happy New Year 2017.

Photo Source: albd.org
mygoldenbengal.wordpress.com


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