President asks naval officers to safeguard sovereignty

Staff Correspondent, Chattogram: President M Abdul Hamid on Sunday asked the newly-commissioned officers of Bangladesh Navy to dedicate themselves for safeguarding the sovereignty and be readied always to face any calamity.

Hamid made the call while addressing the President Parade-2018 marking the passing out of the Midshipman-2016 and the Direct Entry Officers (DEO) 2018/B batches of Bangladesh Naval Academy (BNA) here in Chattogram.

“You (Navy) have to work jointly with the members of Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Air Force to dedicate for safeguarding the sovereignty . . . and be readied to face any calamity,” the President said.

The head of the state advised the newly-commissioned officers to go forward in the greater interest of the nation being imbued with spirit of utmost professionalism, patriotism, responsibility, honesty, leadership quality and sacrificial tendency.

Appreciating the performance of the naval forces, President Hamid said the Bangladesh Navy as a strong force will uphold their image in international arena along with ensuring the sovereignty of country’s maritime boundary.

Abdul Hamid extended his heartiest good wishes and congratulations to all fresh officers on the occasion.

Referring to country’s foreign policy “Friendship towards all, malice towards none”, the President said, “We don’t want to do fight with anybody . . . But we are totally uncompromising for sake of our self-defence, country’s Independence and sovereignty.”

On her arrival at the BNA parade ground, the President was received by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Nizamuddin Ahmed and other senior officials.

The President reviewed the smartly turned out parade and took salute of midshipmen of passing out batches and different contingents of the navy. He also distributed awards among best midshipmen for their outstanding performance in the academy.

Midshipman Ahmed Rewan Khan received the Sword of Honour from the premier for becoming the best all-round midshipman.

Direct Entry Officer Acting Sub-Lieutenant Saif Hossain got Bir Shrestha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Gold Medal, while Midshipman Iraz Mahmud Shuvo received Naval Chief Gold Medal for acquiring highest standard in the professional and educational subjects.

With this winter parade, a total of 59 midshipmen including, four female, one from Sri Lanka and one from the Maldives and seven Direct Entry Officers (DEO) got commission this year.

Chattogram city corporation mayor, parliament members, chiefs of Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Air Force, senior military and civil officials, diplomats, local political leaders, senior civil and military officials, secretaries concerned to the Bangabhaban and guardians of the newly commissioned midshipmen were present.


risingbd/Dhaka/Dec 9, 2018/Rezaul/AI