Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said a smart population is needed to build ‘Smart Bangladesh’, urging the children to be groomed properly with human qualities as today’s children will be the smart community of future Bangladesh.

“I would like to tell the children that every child will have to engage in sports and physical exercises, remain neat and clean, obey teachers and guardians, follow the rules, and must have human qualities,” she said.

The premier said this while addressing a function here as chief guest marking the 103rd birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children's Day-2023.

Mentioning the children as the future of the nation, she said her government’s goal is to develop them as the able citizens of the country.

“Today’s children will be the smart community in future who will build Bangladesh properly,” she said.

The Prime Minister thanked the Women and Children Affairs Ministry for picking this year’s theme of the day, adding that her government wants to transform the country into ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041.

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs arranged the programme with the theme "Smart Bangladesher Swapne Bangabandhu’r Janmadin, Shishuder Chokh Somridhir Swapne Rangin (The birthday of Bangabandhu in the dream for Smart Bangladesh, Children are dreaming for prosperity)” under the management of Gopalganj district administration.

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira, MP, spoke at the ceremony as special guest, while secretary of the ministry Md. Hasanuzzaman Kallol delivered welcome address. Little Swapnil Bishwas also spoke on behalf of the children.

With children representative Sneha Islam in the chair, two children --Rubaba Toha Zaman and A L Sharfuddin-- conducted the event.

At the outset, a documentary titled “Bangabandhu and Children Rights” was screened.

The premier distributed crests among the winners of a painting competition, quiz on Oshomapto Attojiboni (The Unfinished Memoirs) and Karagarer Rojnamcha (The Prison Diaries) as well as the historic 7th March Speech and recitation competition organized by the district administration.

In the event, she also unveiled the cover of an illustrated book titled “Shishuder Sheikh Mujib (Sheikh Mujib of Children)” composed by Special Security Force (SSF) Director General (DG) Major General Md Majibur Rahman.

Besides, the best art work selected from a painting competition where special children participated was given to the Prime Minister as memento at the function.

In addition, 100 insolvent students received Taka 2,500 each as financial donation on the occasion of the Bangabandhu’s birthday and the children’s day.

Cabinet members, members of parliament, political leaders and high officials were present in the programme.

Dhaka Divisional Commissioner Md. Khalilur Rahman and Gopalganj Deputy Commissioner Kazi Mahbubul Alam were on the stage.

The Prime Minister said that her government is giving new books to the children so that they can concentrate on studies.

“In addition to this, we’ve also laid emphasis on computer education as a smart population is required to build a smart Bangladesh and that is why we’ve taken this measure so that children can learn it from their childhood,” she added.

She further said that they have incorporated computer coding system in the curriculum at the primary level alongside taking the initiative of improving the skill of teachers applying a blending approach.

“I will tell our children that we want to build digital Bangladesh and ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041, and today’s children will be the smart population who will build the future Bangladesh,” she continued.

Sheikh Hasina said no child will be deprived of the light of education in the ‘Smart Bangladesh’. “In the Smart Bangladesh, no person will be homeless. None will suffer with the hardship of poverty. We will build Bangladesh by fulfilling the basic needs of every human being.”

“Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is no more among us today, but we have his ideology. We will pull the country ahead following his ideology. The Bangladesh of the future will be a Smart Bangladesh, a prosperous Bangladesh,” she added.

The Prime Minister said that all the children have to be imbued human qualities by grooming up properly through sports and physical exercises.

She asked the children to be sympathetic towards the persons with special needs or differently able persons.

“We give them (differently able persons) allowances and separate stipends. Everyone is a part of this society, everyone is the part of this world,” she said.

The head of government mentioned that Father of the Nation loved children very much and he had high compassion for them, and that is why the government has declared his birthday as the National Children’s Day, considering that children are the future and they would get the chance to develop as perfect citizens of the country. According to BSS reports