Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called on the people of the country to take a pledge to rebuild the nation.
“From today, our only task should be nation-building and rebuilding the state. Let this be our pledge,” he said.
“We have one goal and one purpose. We do not just want to dream. We want to make plans. We want to adopt plans that will move the country forward and change the people’s fate,” the premier added.
He made the remarks while addressing a public rally this afternoon after inaugurating the re-excavation programme of Khorddo Canal at Waruk Bazar area of Tamta Dakshin Union in Shahrasti Upazila.
As he arrived at the stage set beside the canal, thousands of leaders, activists and supporters on both sides welcomed him with slogans and applause.
Referring to the canal excavation initiative, Tarique Rahman said, “Forty-eight years ago, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman initiated this canal excavation programme. Today, let us all make a pledge to move the country forward.”
Quoting from the Holy Quran, he said, “Allah says that He helps those who help themselves. If we don’t excavate this (Khorddo) canal, how will our farmers get water? They will not. Through the canal excavation, farmers will benefit”.
“In the same way, if all of us work together, if the 40 crore hands of Bangladesh’s 20 crore people work together, InShaAllah, we will be able to transform Bangladesh into a dignified nation in the world,” he continued.
Stating that the BNP government is committed to fulfilling election promises, he said, “Just as we made promises to the people before the elections, we will gradually implement all the promises in the future.”
Noting that the country’s people are the source of BNP’s political strength, the BNP chairman said, “Your strength is our strength. As long as you stand beside us, our journey of building the nation will continue, InShaAllah.”
Calling for collective effort, Tarique Rahman said, “Let our pledge today, at this canal excavation programme, be ‘Korbo Kaj, Gorbo Desh; Sobar Agee Bangladesh (we will work to build the country, Bangladesh first’.”
At one point, he asked the crowd, “Are you with me in building this country?” The audience responded by waving their hands and shouting, “Yes, we are!” Hearing this, he said, “Alhamdulillah.”
Earlier, he arrived at the Khorddo Canal site by road around 2:40 pm and unveiled a plaque for the re-excavation programme.
Later, he formally inaugurated the re-excavation work by cutting soil with a spade and also planted saplings on the canal bank.
Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, local lawmaker Mominul Haque, Chandpur BNP General Secretary Advocate Salim Ullah Selim, Shahrasti Upazila BNP President Ayat Ali Bhuiyan, and Vice President Abu Yusuf Rupam were present at the event.
Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had originally excavated the Khorddo Canal in 1978. After 48 years, the canal is now being re-excavated under the initiative of his son, Tarique Rahman.
Source: BSS
