DHAKA, Dec 1, 2024 - (BSS) - A colourful passing out parade of 440 new sailors of the B/2024 batch of the Bangladesh Navy was held at the BNS Sher-e-Bangla Parade Ground of Kalapara in Patuakhali today.

Navy Chief Admiral M Nazmul Hasan was present as the chief guest and inspected the parade and took the salute. Subsequently,  he also distributed awards among the new sailors who achieved outstanding results, said a release of the Inter-Services Public Relations(ISPR) this evening.

Among the new sailors of the B/2024 batch of the Navy, Md AKM Shahadat Hossain Sadi received the 'Navy Chief's Award' as the best smart sailor by obtaining the highest results in all professional and academic subjects while Md Shahinur Alam Shimul got the 'Kamkhul Award' by securing second position and Sabbir Rahman attained the 'Sher-e-Bangla Award' by securing third position in the boot camp training.

Speaking on the occasion, the Navy Chief called upon the new sailors to make proper use of the knowledge acquired from the New Sailors Training School and develop themselves as competent ones and properly discharge their respective duties in the greater interest of the national security and progress.

“To continue the progress of the Navy, smart and trained sailors are needed to build a modern navy to face the challenges of the current world,” he said.

Referring to the continuation of development and prosperity of Bangladesh, the Navy chief said the Navy is being developed as a modern and technologically advanced force , which would be able to play a leading role in sea-based economic activities besides ensuring the sovereignty and security of the country.

He gratefully recalled the contributions of all the fearless valiant freedom fighters and naval commandos participated in the War of Independence and all the martyrs who lost their lives in the Anti-Discrimination Movement in July-August, 2024.

The Navy Chief thanked the new sailors for choosing the sacred duty as a profession for serving the country and building the nation, the ISPR release added.

These new sailors would play a leading role in protecting the vast maritime borders of Bangladesh in the days to come as well as building a new Bangladesh, he hoped.

High-ranking military and civil officials, dignitaries from Patuakhali, Barisal and Khulna regions and guardians of the new sailors were present on the occasion.

It is mentioned that the BNS Sher-e-Bangla Naval Base officially started its operations on July 12, 2023. It has been established on 515 acres of land.  So far, 4 batches have successfully completed Navy boot camp training here.