MUNSHIGANJ, July 5: Describing the Padma Bridge as a symbol of pride, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said the international community now shows due respect to Bangladesh as the bridge was constructed with own finance.
"People now show respect when they heard the name of Bangladesh on the international stage. The people of Bangladesh have reached a dignified position," she said while addressing a civic rally as the chief guest marking the closing of the Padma Bridge construction work at Mawa end.
She said that the mentality about Bangladesh that it can do anything without their (foreigners) support has changed through the construction of the Padma Bridge with own finance.
"The Padma Bride is a bridge of our pride.... one decision (to build Padma Bridge with own finance) has given Bangladesh dignity. Those who always did bossing on us and thought that Bangladesh would not move on without them have changed their mentality," she said.
The Prime Minister recalled the local and international conspiracies to stop the construction of the Padma Bridge.
"We had to build the Padma Bridge overcoming many barriers. We have built the bridge entirely with the money of the people of Bangladesh," she said.
The Padma Bridge has opened the door for making socio-economic advancement of the south-western part, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh was internationally considered as the country of beggars because the post 1975 governments did nothing for the development of the country.
"It was very disgraceful because we were considered as the nation of beggars," she said.
After assuming power in 1996, the Prime Minister said they have only one target to reach Bangladesh to a dignified position on the global stage, adding," We have done it successfully." The Premier said a nation which liberated its country shedding blood, never move ahead keeping their head down.
The Prime Minister vowed Bangladesh will march on to become a developed, prosperous and Smart Bangladesh by 2041 with an indomitable pace confronting all the hurdles.
"We must march ahead overcoming all the obstacles whatever come with implementation of the ideal of the Father of the Nation," she said.
The Premier said her government has been implementing the perspective plan 2021-41 and Delta Plan-2100 to provide improved and better life to generations after generations.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, MP, presided over the function.
Former Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam and Senior Secretary of the Bridges Division Md. Monjur Hossain and Director of Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project Md Shafiqul Islam also spoke on the occasion. A documentary on the Padma Bridge, a symbol of Bangladeshs pride and capability, was screened at the function. —BSS
