DHAKA, March 25, 2024 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked all concerned to find out those who are working for the welfare of the people in silence to honour them with award.

"I urge you to find out those who have been working in silence with devotion in different areas, not for own-self, but for the people's welfare... The biggest thing is to honour them with the awards," she said.

The premier was handing over "Swadhinata Purashkar-2024" (Independence Award-2024), the highest national civil award of the country, to 10 distinguished persons in recognition of their outstanding contribution to their respective fields at national level.
 
The award ceremony was held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital city.

Sheikh Hasina said, "A section of people work for the welfare of the country in silence. They never come to the fore front or are not intended to be exposed. They have been making contribution to the welfare of the people selflessly with self motivation".

She said her government wants to honour these persons with award by finding out them.

The premier also greeted all who got the award for their contribution to the different fields.

"I believe that many people will be inspired to work for the welfare of the country and its people (after seeing recognition of good deeds) with distribution of the award," she said.

Sheikh Hasina came down heavily on the BNP-Jamaat clique and their accomplices, saying they had distorted the Liberation War's history after assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most of his family members on August 15, 1975.

"After 1975, we have seen distortion of the Liberation War history, banning of the historic March 7speech and Joy Bangla Slogan," she said.

She added several post-75 generations were exposed to destruction through teaching them the distorted history of the country's independence.

After assuming power, the premier said the Awami League (AL) let people particularly the new generation know the true history of the Liberation War of 1971.

And the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu had been made international heritage document while the Joy Bangla Slogan have made the country's national slogan, she said.

The prime minister said once the freedom fighters and their family members were afraid of giving their identity due to having such horrific situation in the country.

But, after coming to power, she said they have revived the dignity of the freedom fighters with providing them state honour after their death irrespective of their political affiliation.

Apart from this, monthly honorium is being given to each freedom fighter alongside providing house, "Bir Nibas" to insolvent ones, she continued.

The prime minister said Bangabandhu had started the trial of the war criminals after the country's independence and many of the culprits were sent to jail.

"But, the post-1975 governments rehabilitated the war criminals after releasing them from prisons," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said she returned to the country from forced exile in 1981 overcoming all the barriers mainly to run the country towards prosperity and development maintaining the spirit of the Liberation War.

"I returned to the country with a promise to build the nation with the spirit of the Liberation War and to change the fate of the countrymen alongside making development of the country," she said.

She went on saying that Bangladesh was recognized as a developing country due to massive development by the Awami League government while the nation celebrated the golden jubilee of the country's independence in 2021.

Bangladesh will start its journey as the developing country in 2026, she said.

"We have been able to take forward Bangladesh at least one step," the premier said.

She said they have made Bangladesh digital in accordance with the electoral pledge of 2008.

Now, Sheikh Hasina said her government has been working to transform the country into a developed, prosperous and Smart Sonar Bangladesh by 2041 in line with the 2024 election manifesto.

Refereeing to arson terrorism by the BNP-Jamaat clique for hampering country's journey towards prosperity, she hoped that they will come back to their sense.

"The Awami League has proved that a country can prosper if peace and democratic trend will continue," she said.

The premier said she wants continuation of the journey towards advancement and the people of Bangladesh to move around the world keeping their heads high.

Referring to Bangladesh's foreign policy "Friendship to all, malice to none," adopted by the Father of the Nation, she said, "We are obeying the policy properly."

The prime minister also condemned in strongest terms the Israeli attack on Gaza of Palestine, saying her government always supports Palestinians.

She reiterated Bangladesh's resolute stance against any war.

"We never want war, we want peace," she said.

The prime minister said they even try to solve the Rohingya repatriation issue through holding talks with Myanmar.

Valiant freedom fighters Kazi Abdur Sattar, Bir Pratik, Flight Sergeant Md Fazlul Haque (posthumous) and Shaheed Abu Nayeem Md Najib Uddin Khan (Khurram) (posthumous) got the award in the 'Independence and Liberation War' category.

Dr. Mubarak Ahmad Khan was awarded in the science and technology category, while Dr Harishankar Dash in medical category, Mohammad Rafiquzzaman in cultural category, Firoza Khatun in sports, and Aronno Chiran, valiant freedom fighter Prof. Dr. Mollah Obayedullah Baki and SM Abraham Lincoln in social services category.

Of the award recipients, Mohammad Rafiquzzaman expressed feeling on the occasion.
The Cabinet Division earlier on March 15 announced the names of the Independence Award recipients.

Each award recipient received a gold medal, a certificate and a cheque of honorarium.

Cabinet Secretary Md. Mahbub Hossain moderated the function and read out the citations with brief life sketch of the awardees.