Dhaka, Dec 12 (Agency) Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked the new army officers to serve the country and uphold the spirit of War of Liberation being imbued with patriotism, saying Bangladesh has attained capability to defend its independence and sovereignty. “We believe in peace as Father of the Nation gave us the foreign policy ‘friendship to all, malice to none’ and we believe in that foreign policy. But if we are ever attacked by the outside enemies, we have the ability to protect our independence and sovereignty”, PM Hasina said. The premier was addressing a ceremony as the chief guest at the parade ground of Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA), Bhatiary, Chattogram marking the President Parade-2021 of the passing out cadets of the 81st BMA Long Course, joining virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban here.
Calling the cadets as the children of this country, she said the young officers will have to be equal partners of the happiness, sorrow and laughter of the common people and stand by the people. Sheikh Hasina said, “Remember, we have achieved this independence in exchange for a river of blood and sacrifice… It is your sacred duty to ensure the protection of this hard-earned independence.” Extending her best wishes and greetings to all the new officers, she said by taking oath today they are entrusted with the sacred duty of defending the great independence and sovereignty of the motherland. Protecting the independence and sovereignty of the country should be the main vow of your professional life, even at the cost of supreme sacrifice,” she added.
Mentioning that Bangladesh army has been able to earn the acclamation of all quarters through their efficiency and professionalism in discharging duties at home and abroad, she urged the new officials to uphold this dignity. The prime minister said her government is working to turn Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) into a state-of-the-art and international academy of international standard. Highlighting that ‘Bangabandhu Complex’ has been constructed here with all kinds of sophisticated facilities for internal training of cadets, she hoped that this modern training system will play a pivotal role in building a well trained and modern army. She also noted that BMA appeared as a successful training institute for the officer cadets of Bangladesh Army in providing advanced training and developing capable leadership envisioned by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur.