DHAKA, Dec 19, 2021 (BSS) - The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Day-2023 will be celebrated across the country tomorrow through various programmes.

On the occasion, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages greeting the BGB members.

The President, in his message, said: "On the occasion of 'Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Day 2023' celebration, I extend my sincere greetings and congratulations to all the members of this force."

Glorified in valor and tradition, the 'Eternal Guard of the Border', BGB has made an unforgettable contribution to the country's great Liberation War, he said.

Border Guard Bangladesh has been developed as a three-dimensional border guarding force to perform duties on water, land and air, he said.

BGB members are performing uninterrupted duties in the overall protection of the border, prevention of smuggling and prevention of women and children as well as drug trafficking, he added.

BGB is also playing a commendable role in maintaining internal law and order of the country, dealing with any national crisis and emergency, including natural disasters, he mentioned.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said BGB is a traditional 228-year-old force and its role in great Liberation War is unforgettable. 

Under the guidance of the greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's historic speech on March 7, 1971, the members of this force started all-out preparations for the Liberation War, the Premier said.

In the early hours of March 26, Bangabandhu's declaration of independence reached remote areas of the country through the wireless of the then EPR (now BGB), she said.

Responding to the call of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, the members of this force jumped into the Liberation War with the masses, she said. 

A total of 119 members of this force have been recognized as freedom fighters, including two Bir Sreshtho titles for their extraordinary bravery in the Liberation War, she said.

A total of 817 fearless members of this force have glorified the history of BGB by sacrificing their lives in the Great War of Liberation, she said.

The Premier remembered their sacrifice with deep respect. 

"In 2008, the achievement of the Swadhinata Padak is a unique recognition of the special contribution of this force to the Liberation War," she said.

The Awami League (AL)-led government followed the footsteps of the father of the nation and started the work of developing this force as a contemporary and modern border guard force, she said. 

The plan of 'Border Guard Bangladesh Vision-2041' has been adopted along with the formulation of 'Border Guard Bangladesh Act 2010', she added.

With the spirit of the great Liberation War, she hoped that every member of this force will carry out their duties with honesty, devotion and discipline for the welfare of the country and its people along side keeping the country's independence and sovereignty intact.

Both the President and the Premier wished all the success of 'Border Guard Bangladesh Day 2023'.