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National Social Service Day 2023 will be observed in the country on Monday at the initiative of the Social Welfare Ministry through different programmes.
This year's theme of the day is 'Unnayan o Sammridhir Agrajatrai, Desh Garbo Samajsebai'.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday issued separate messages wishing the success of all the programmes taken on the occasion of 'National Social Service Day-2023'.
In his message President, Md Abdul Hamid said, "I welcome the initiative of the Ministry of Social Welfare to celebrate 'National Social Service Day-2023'."
For the massive development spree of information technology in the country, the allowances of social safety net programmes are reaching the doorsteps of the people through mobile financial services under the Government to Person (G2P) system, the head of the state said.
The president added that under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the work of rebuilding war-torn Bangladesh began soon after independence. Bangabandhu undertook various welfare programmes giving priority to the development of the poor and helpless people and strengthening social security, he added.
Bangabandhu set a unique example in the country and in the contemporary world by introducing an interest-free loan programme in 1974, the president said, adding that following this, the present government is implementing extensive activities under the social safety net programme for the development of the disabled, helpless and backward people.
He said various strategic reforms, including formulation of a national safety net strategy and providing the allowances of social safety net programmes through the G2P payment system, have played a supportive role in presenting the country as a social welfare state.
The president urged all, especially the private sector to work along with the government to face the possible global economic downturn and thus ensure the welfare of the people.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said the greatest Bengali of all time, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, gave priority to the development of helpless and backward people from the very beginning of the reconstruction of war-torn Bangladesh.
In 1974, Bangabandhu undertook rural social service activities for the socio-economic development of the rural poor, introduced interest-free micro-credit programmes and enacted the Child Protection and Development Act, the premier added.
Following the path shown by the Father of the Nation, Bangladesh Awami League has always been working for the welfare of the poor and backward people of the country, she said, adding that the Awami League-led government has implemented 54 programmes under the social safety net initiative for the welfare and development of disadvantaged people in the country including the destitute, poor, helpless children, the disabled, adolescents, women (who are mistreated by husbands) and the elderly people.
The premier said the government is reaching allowances and donations under the social safety net programmes to over 1.08 crore through the G2P payment system.
"We are providing financial assistance to improve the living standards of tea garden workers. Training, special allowances and education stipends are being provided to improve the living standards of Hijra, 'Bede' and marginalized people," she said.
Financial assistance is being provided to cancer, kidney, liver cirrhosis, stroke, paralyzed and congenital heart patients, she said, adding that toll-free child helpline 1098 has been introduced to ensure child protection and their rights.
The premier hoped that the Ministry of Social Welfare will contribute to building a golden Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty as dreamt by Bangabandhu by implementing new programmes for the protection and development of the rights of the destitute, helpless and disabled people of the country.
She hoped that the government will be able to build a hunger-poverty-free 'Sonar Bangla' as dreamt by the Father of the Nation with the united efforts of all.
