Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday inaugurated the newly-established ‘Sheikh Hasina Cantonment’ in Patuakhali this morning.
The premier opened the cantonment on the bank of Payra river at Lebukhali under Dumki upazila in the southwestern coastal district this morning by unveiling its plaque, BSS reports.
She also hoisted national standard of 11 headquarters and units including the adhoc headquarters of 7 infantry division.
Ministers, parliament members, the chiefs of the three services, diplomats, former chiefs of army and senior government officials were present on the occasion. Sheikh Hasina inaugurated 14 development projects and laid the foundation stone of another scheme of Patuakhali district by unveiling their plaques from the same venue.
The projects opened by the prime minister are the 50-bed Diabetic Hospital in Patuakhali, Deuli 10-bed Mother and Child Welfare Centre in Mirjaganj upazila, Sabupura 10-bed Mother and Child Welfare Centre in Baufal upazila, the newly constructed dormitory of the Government Shishu Paribar, Kazi Abul Kashem Stadium, Dashmina Upazila Muktijoddha Complex Building, the West Chakmaia Government Primary School-cum-Cyclone Centre under Kalapara upazila, East Dalbuganj Government Primary School-cum-Cyclone Centre in Kalapara, Hogla Government Primary School-cum-Cyclone Centre, Kalapara Upazila Muktijoddha Complex, Galachipa Muktijoddha Smriti Complex, Digital Publicity Screen at the Office of the Patuakhali Deputy Commissioner and Shaheed Sheikh Kamal Smriti Complex Auditorium.
She also laid the foundation stone of administrative building extension and hall room of Galachipa Upazila Parishad.
Earlier, she arrived here on a daylong visit to Patuakhali and Barisal districts to open ‘Sheikh Hasina Cantonment’ and 54 development projects and lay the foundation stones of 34 uplift schemes.
The premier reached Lebukhali under Dumki upazila of Patuakhali by an Air Force helicopter at 11:15 am.
Sheikh Hasina directed Bangladesh Army to uphold democracy and constitution and make more contributions to the public welfare-oriented activities.
“The army will have to keep up the trend of democracy and constitution and make more important contributions to the public welfare-oriented activities.
. . it now became a proven fact that the country is not developed without continuation of democracy,” she said. Sheikh Hasina also asked the members of Bangladesh Army to keep a “constant vigil” to face any internal and external threats for safeguarding the country’s constitution and sovereignty.
“You’ll have to always remain ready to face any internal or external threats unitedly for protecting the sacred constitution and sovereignty of the motherland,” she said.
Hasina said the government has taken various steps to develop the patriotic and professional armed forces as the world-class modern forces. "That's why her government took a decision in 2016 to establish the division."
Mentioning that the country's southern region has got a new life in terms of socio-economic development following establishment of the cantonment, the Prime Minister said it has also created new hopes among people.
To modernise the force, she said, sophisticated vehicles, helicopters and arms and ammunition have been inducted into it.
She said the living standard of the army members has improved due to the sincere efforts of her government. "Modern arrangements have been made to provide better treatment from the combined military hospitals."
Hasina expressed her firm resolve that her government will be able to turn Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021 in the golden jubilee of great independence and a developed one by 2041.
At the same function, the prime minister hoisted the national standard of the Adhoc Headquarters 7 Infantry Division of Bangladesh Army.
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Road Transport and pidges Minister Obaidul Quader, Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Libeartion Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Chief Whip of Jatiya Sangsad ASM Feroz, former army chiefs General (retd) Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan and General (retd) MA Mubin raised the national standard of the 11 headquarters and units.
Ministers, MPs, the chiefs of three services, diplomats and high civil and military officials were present.
GY
