'No humane state possible without uplifting marginalised communities'

A humane and developed state cannot be built by leaving any section of society behind, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian said on Sunday, stressing the need for inclusive development and skill-based empowerment.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a 15-day training programme on improving the living standards of marginalised communities, he said people cannot choose where they are born, but they can shape their future through hard work, skills and ambition.

The programme, organised by the Chattogram District Social Services Office, concluded with the distribution of certificates and financial assistance. It was chaired by the office's Deputy Director Mohammad Omar Faruk.

The DC said Bangladesh's diversity is one of its strengths, but many marginalised communities remain outside the mainstream of development. The government is implementing programmes to improve their livelihoods through skills development and self-employment opportunities, he said.

Describing the training as "the beginning of a new journey", he urged participants to continuously upgrade their skills to meet the demands of the global job market. "If you remain still while the world moves forward, the distance between you and the world will only grow," he said.

Referring to Dr B R Ambedkar, he said many successful people overcame adversity through determination, adding that the real success of government training programmes lies in whether beneficiaries can improve their lives using the skills they acquire.