Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said valiant freedom fighters should always be accorded the highest respect irrespective of party affiliation.
The prime minister said this while speaking at the programme marking the distribution of Prime Minister Fellowship 2024-25 among the recipients at her office.
She said that it should always be kept in mind that they are the brave freedom fighters.
“Abandoning the dream of their own life, leaving behind their families, parents and everything, they joined the war with whatever they had responding to the call of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she said.
She mentioned that country’s victory was achieved through their sacrifice.
“Therefore, they should always be given the highest respect,” she added.
Hasina said that she knew that many of the freedom fighters may not have her party's support, may have moved to other parties or may have many things.
“Wherever they go, it doesn't matter to me. It is important to me that they sacrificed everything, their lives, their blood and many were maimed to make this country free and victorious,” she said.
She also mentioned that freedom fighters defeated the enemy and brought victory.
“So in that case, I think, their honour will be the highest,” she added.
The prime minister said that many freedom fighters might not agree with her opinion, they might not agree with her party, but still, they are freedom fighters. “Everyone is respected to me. And we want the people of this country to give them that honour for ages.”
The prime minister said that once the freedom fighters were neglected.
“Since I assumed power, I have given them every kind of support and they can proudly say that I am a freedom fighter," she stated.
Hasina said that the father of the nation wanted to build a society free from exploitation. He wanted to create a hunger-free, poverty-free society.
“Keeping that in mind, people from all walks of life in our country… no one will be neglected," she said.
She said that the country has minorities, differently-abled people, and autistic. The government is sympathetic to all of them.
“We are paying special attention to ensure that they get all the facilities of the society, that they do not fall behind,” she said.
The prime minister asked the fellows of the Prime Minister Fellowship to take responsibility for the country before leaving for higher studies abroad.
"You have many things to give. You have to develop the country further in future," she said.
She asked them to remember that they were going abroad for higher education with the fellowship at the money of the people.
“Keep in mind, the money which is being spent on your higher education, is the money of the people. You have to pay special attention to serve the people," she said.
The prime minister asked them to work for the country and its people after returning to the country upon completion of the degrees.
This year, as many as 11 individuals have got PhD and 39 got masters fellowships.
So far, 308 masters fellows and 116 PhD fellows have been awarded the scholarship at the expense of around Tk 336 crore to study at world-class universities. Of them, 215 masters fellows and 26 PhD fellows have already completed their degrees.
The fellowship is being given in three categories — government officers (BCS), government officers (Non-BCS) and others (private candidates).
The Fellowship was introduced in 2018 by the prime minister to facilitate the capacity development of resources across all sectors.
The Governance Innovation Unit (GIU), Prime Minister's Office, has been entrusted with the responsibility of the management of it.
The fellows study in many reputed universities in different countries including the USA, the UK, Australia and Netherlands.
Prime minister's Education and Cultural Affairs Adviser Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury and prime minister's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, spoke at the function.
Some of the PhD and masters fellows expressed their feelings on getting the fellowship and thanked the prime minister for awarding them with fellowships to help turn their dreams into reality and pledged to work for the welfare of Bangladesh and its people.
A video documentary on the fellowship was screened at the function.
