সোমবার, ১৩ জুলাই ২০২৬, ০৮:৪১ অপরাহ্ন
BARISHAL, July 13, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said that the people have full confidence in the Bangladesh Army, which is a symbol of the country’s independence and sovereignty.
“The Army has repeatedly set shining examples of professionalism, courage and patriotism in dealing with national crises, ensuring the country’s security and maintaining law and order,” he said.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while visiting the Bangladesh Army’s Summer Exercise in the Purba Rahmatpur area of Babuganj Upazila in the district around 11:30 am.
During the visit, Tarique Rahman interacted with Army personnel.
He went to the soldiers deployed inside the jungle, inquired about their well-being and encouraged them to carry out their duties with dedication and professionalism.
The Prime Minister said the discipline, efficiency, sacrifice and sense of duty of the army personnel have earned the army a place of special esteem in the hearts of the people.
“To preserve this trust and respect, professional training, the use of modern technology and the highest level of preparedness must be maintained,” he added.
In this connection, he said, “I grew up in an Army family. That is why I feel very happy whenever I come among Army personnel. It reminds me of my childhood memories.”
Spending time with the soldiers and interacting with them, Tarique Rahman appeared to relive his childhood memories.
Expressing hope that the Bangladesh Army would earn greater reputation, dignity and professional recognition across the world beyond the country’s borders in the future, he said, “The government will provide all necessary support to enhance the capability, modernisation and reputation of the Army.”
The Prime Minister later walked through the vast jungle to observe various training activities and wartime preparedness exercises of the Army personnel.
During the exercise, he observed the positioning, movement and various combat-oriented activities of the soldiers inside the rugged and dense jungle.
At that time, the Army officers briefed the Prime Minister on different aspects of the exercise and the strategic preparedness of the troops.
The Prime Minister also observed the operation of an anti-drone multi-barrel system used to detect and counter enemy drones while the concerned Army officers explained to him the operational procedures of the defence system and its use on the battlefield.
At one stage, he sat on the ground with the army personnel for some time, listened to their experiences regarding training, responsibilities and field-level duties, and also shared a meal prepared on the spot under battlefield conditions with the participating Army personnel.
Tarique Rahman was served plain rice, lentils, mashed potatoes, shrimp and egg curry, cooked over a fire lit with candles inside a tin container.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Prime Minister’s Military Secretary Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq and senior officials of the Bangladesh Army were present on the occasion.
BARISHAL, July 13, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today sought cooperation from the countrymen to keep Bangladesh clean.
“We all must work together if we want to make our country beautiful, safe, and livable,” he said.
The premier added: “If we do not keep our own homes clean and if we ourselves do not keep our country clean, then the country will never remain clean. Nobody from outside will come and clean our country for us. We all must work together if we want to make our country beautiful.”
Tarique Rahman, also BNP chairman, made the remarks while addressing the local villagers after inaugurating a tree plantation programme on the bank of the Sarikal–Batajor Canal in Gournadi upazila here this morning.
He said, “I would like to request the people of the entire country—let us all try not to throw garbage here and there. Let us not throw away empty water bottles or anything carelessly after using them.”
“When we carry something in a packet and no longer need the packet, we often throw it away anywhere. This harms the environment. If the environment is damaged, our children will suffer in the future,” the Prime Minister added.
Referring to his personal habit of carrying used tissues in his pocket, he said, “If you check my pocket now, you will find a tissue there. I used it a little while ago after washing my hands, and I kept it in my pocket. If I threw it here, then I would not be following what I am asking you to do. That is why I developed the habit from childhood of keeping used tissues in my pocket. If you check any of my pant’s pockets, you will find used tissues.”
“The tissues accumulate in my pocket throughout the day. At night, when I return home, I throw them into a dustbin or wherever garbage is supposed to be disposed of. I have consciously tried to build this habit, and gradually I have succeeded,” the premier added.
Tarique Rahman said, “If we all begin practicing this habit from today, we will be able to build a clean and beautiful country. Our environment will improve. Everyone will appreciate our country. Not only our own people but also visitors from abroad will say that Bangladesh is a clean and beautiful country where people take care of their surroundings.”
Drawing attention to two plastic bottles floating in the Sarikal–Batajor Canal, the Prime Minister said, “Look, there are plastic bottles floating in the canal. If there are five or seven people in a household and only one person cleans the house while the others keep making it dirty all day, is it possible to keep that house clean?”
He said, “The country is just like our home. If only a few people clean while everyone else continues to litter, it will not be possible to keep clean. We all have to work together to keep the country clean. Garbage must be disposed of only where it belongs.”
The Premier added, “If we throw waste everywhere, not only does it look unpleasant, but it also pollutes the environment. When you travel by bus to Barishal town or to Dhaka, you can see markets and shops surrounded by piles of garbage. Does anyone like to see garbage?”
“It makes the environment dirty, looks unpleasant, and causes pollution. This pollution also harms our health. So let us all work together to make our country beautiful,” he continued.
Calling upon everyone to contribute to building a healthy and beautiful country for future generations, Tarique Rahman said, “On this tree plantation day, let us all pledge that, from our respective positions, each of us will do whatever we can to take care of our surroundings. We will try to protect and keep clean our homes, roads, and neighbourhoods as much as possible.”
Information and Broadcasting Minister and lawmaker from Barishal-1 constituency Zahir Uddin Swapon was present on the occasion.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman interacted with women who received family cards at Batajore in Gournadi this morning. Photo: BSS
BARISHAL, July 13, 2026 (BSS) – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said that as long as the BNP enjoys the support of the people and the people stand by it, the government will let no obstacle stand in the way of rebuilding the country.
Describing people as the source of all political power of BNP, he said “We want to rebuild this country. We want to move this country forward. With the people by our side, we will, Insha’Allah, take the country forward.”
The Prime Minister made the remarks while exchanging views with women Family Card holders in Batajor of Gournadi upazila here this morning.
At the outset, he personally asked several women present at the programme, “Have you received a Family Card? How has this card benefited you?”
At that time, Parul Akhtar, a Family Card beneficiary, came onto the stage and said, “Receiving this card has helped me a great deal. It has eased the financial hardship of my family. I hope the Hon’ble Prime Minister will continue to support us in the future and stand by us in times of need.”
Addressing the beneficiaries, the Prime Minister said, “Around 600 families here have received Family Cards. I know many more families have not yet received them. Insha’Allah, they will receive them too.”
“There are nearly four crore families across Bangladesh. We will gradually deliver Family Cards to the female heads of these families. Over the next five years, we will try to reach every family,” he added.
Tarique Rahman said, “Today I heard from our mothers and sisters that receiving the Family Card has made it somewhat easier for them to manage their households. That is exactly our objective—to ensure that our mothers can live better and that the people of the country can enjoy a better life.”
“If we want to move the country forward and give a Family Card to every mother and every woman, the BNP government needs your support and cooperation,” he continued.
Calling on women across the country to stand by the government, the Prime Minister said, “If you, the women of Bangladesh, support the BNP government, then, Insha’Allah, we will gradually be able to extend the Family Card programme throughout the country.”
“We firmly believe that through the Family Card programme we will be able to bring about a major transformation in society, Insha’Allah. Gradually, the light of education will reach our women, and at the same time they will become economically stronger,” he added.
Expressing his commitment to ensuring peaceful coexistence among the people belonging to different faiths and religions, the Prime Minister said, “We want everyone in the country to live together with peace and harmony. If we remain patient and act with patience, we will be able to build the country as we aspire to.”
“Whether we are Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, or Christians, our thousand-year-old tradition is one of peaceful coexistence among people of all faiths. Therefore, now and in the future, we want to rebuild this country with cooperation from all without discrimination by treating everyone on the basis of humanity,” he added.
Concluding his remarks, Tarique Rahman said, “We often say, ‘Let us work to build the nation—Bangladesh First.’ Today, let me add another line: ‘Let us work to build the nation—a Bangladesh for everyone.’ We want everyone to live better in Bangladesh in the days ahead.
“That is the politics of the present government. That is our goal. That is our objective,” he added.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon and local BNP leaders were present at the programme.
After the views exchange meeting with women Family Card holders in Gournadi, the Prime Minister departed for Barishal city.
Following the 34-kilometre journey, he is scheduled to inaugurate another tree plantation programme along the bank of the Sagardi Canal adjacent to the Trish Godown Mass Killing Memorial in the Barishal City Corporation area.
