Govt works underway to build well-equipped army, says PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said her government has been working to transform Bangladesh Army into a time-befitting, technologically well-equipped and modern force.

“We always want Bangladesh Army to be a time-befitting, modern and technologically well-equipped and we are working to attain the target,” she said.

The premier simultaneously said after assuming office her government established newer military units including new infantry divisions, brigade unit and training institutes as well for overall development of the army.

She said this on Sunday while addressing a ceremony as the chief guest at the parade ground of the Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA), Bhatiary, Chattogram marking the President Parade 2019 of the passing out cadets of the 77th BMA Long Course.

The premier said Bangladesh Army should always be well-trained and equipped with modern knowledge, adding, “We are taking measures keeping this in mind.”

She also said that her government has ensured inclusion of women in Bangladesh Army.

The premier asked the cadets to obey the seniors and take special care of their subordinates following the order of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the oath they are taking.

In this context, the premier quoted some portion of the invaluable and visionary speech of the Father of the Nation delivered at the passing out of cadets at the BMA in 1975, “I, as the Father of the Nation, order you to stay on the way of honesty and love the country. Stand beside justice, obey the guardians, keep up discipline, and thus you will be the human being.”

The premier told the cadets that you would have to remain alert always while discharging duties.

Referring to applauds achieved by the Bangladesh Army through its activities, the premier said, “Our armed forces have been working at various missions of the United Nations with due competence and it is applauded wherever it goes.”

Noting that today is a memorable day for the Bangladesh Military Academy, the premier said that the trainees from Bangladesh as well as friendly countries such as Saudi Arab, Palestine and Sri Lanka are going to be commissioned today as lieutenants after completing the three-year 77th BMA Long Course.

Greeting the cadets of the BMA, the premier said, “The necessity of army for an independent and sovereign country is immensely needed and inevitable.”

Therefore, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman inaugurated the Bangladesh Military Academy at Cumilla Cantonment in 1974 in a war ravaged country aimed at developing Bangladesh Army as a trained, strong and efficient force and that was a historic and epoch-making matter as the academy was established in a war-ravaged country with limited resources.

She said today’s military academy is like the outcome of the dream of Father of the Nation, adding that the world now praises the academy and the armed forces officers are taking training here.

The premier said, “We have adopted the “Forces Goal 2030” in accordance with the “Defence Policy” adopted by the Father of the Nation.”

In light of the policy, she said, the Awami League government has been taking necessary measures, including setting up of a new infantry division.

She mentioned that today’s Bangladesh Army is much more developed, self-reliant, efficient and professional in terms of infrastructure, strategy and technology in comparison to any time in the past.

The premier said that her government has been working for turning Bangladesh Military Academy into an ultra-modern and international standard institution while the Bangabandhu Complex has been built with all kinds of modern facilities in the academy. _BSS

Dhaka/AKA