President asks army to be alert to defend sovereignty

Desk Report: President M Abdul Hamid on Saturday asked the newly-inducted military officers to remain always alert for safeguarding the country’s hard-earned independence and sovereignty keeping in mind the cost the nation had to pay for it.

“Bear in mind that our independence was achieved in exchange for huge bloodshed and supreme sacrifice,” he told the ‘President’s Parade 2018’ of 76th army Long Course officers at Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) at Bhatiari.

The president, also the armed forces supreme commander, simultaneously asked the newly commissioned officers to be the partners of common people in their “happiness-sorrow and smile-cry”.

“Stand by the distressed people during their distress and tough time,” he said.

Referring to Bangladesh Army’s outstanding contribution in various development activities, he hoped that the newly commissioned officers would establish ideals through their works which others to follow.

The head of the state hoped that the army would strengthen its position worldwide by dint of their efficiency, merit and knowledge.

“Bangladesh Army is a symbol of nation’s pride. At this happy moment, I extend my heartiest good wishes and congratulations to all fresh army officers,” Hamid said.

He said Bangladesh Army was born through the great Liberation War in 1971, adding that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman framed a defense policy in 1974 to build a strong and trained army suitable for an independent country.

The President said Bangabandhu took initiatives for establishing a world-standard military academy in Bangladesh alongside infrastructural development of different cantonments with opening Bangladesh Military Academy in Comilla Cantonment in 1974.

President Hamid described BMA as a modern and international standard academy while in recent years the institute earned an extra status in the global military arena by introducing a four-year honours and engineering degree courses.

“People in the globe not only visit here (military academy), but also impart training from here,” he observed.

He said the incumbent government formulated the Forces Goal-2030 enhancing overall capability of Bangladesh Army to a greater extent.

Earlier, the President reviewed the smartly turned out parade riding on an open jeep and took salute at the impressive march-past.

Through today’s parade, a total of 257 cadets including 37 female, two Saudi Arabians and one Sri Lankan were commissioned.

Battalion Senior Under Officer AKM Injamamul as the best all-round cadet in the 76 BMA Long Course, received the “Sword of Honour” from the President while Company Senior Officer Ibnee Ezaz Hasan received the “Chief of Army Staff (CAS) Gold Medal” for acquiring highest standard in the military subjects on the occasion.

Diplomats, senior political leaders, Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat, members of parliament, secretaries concerned to the president, high civil and military officials, and parents and guardians of the newly-commissioned officers were present. _BSS

risingbd/Dhaka/December 08, 2018/AKA