Desk Report : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon all to sing the national anthem wherever they are along with thousands of others who will assemble at the National Parade Square during the mass singing event on Wednesday.

She made the call while handing out Swadhinata Padak (Independence Award) at a ceremony at the Osmani Memorial auditorium on Tuesday.

Nine individuals and Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute were given Independence Award this year in recognition of their contributions.

The Prime Minister said: �We spilled our blood to carve out this Bangladesh. We love this Bangladesh. This country is ours. So, we want to take this country forward in a better way. Bangladesh is advancing. Bangladesh will move ahead.�

She invited all to the National Parade Square on Wednesday morning to set record by singing the national anthem.

As many as 300,000 people are expected to sing at the event styled, 'Lakho Konthe Sonar Bangla' (Sonar Bangla in tens of thousands of voices) on Independence Day.

Hasina said: �Our national anthem is made to evoke patriotism in our hearts.�

�We want everyone to sing the national anthem at their respective places across the country. We can manifest our independence, our patriotism and unity through this,� she added.

The Prime Minister said the people of Bangladesh did not want militancy and terrorism; they wanted peace.

Referring to the parliamentary election held on Jan 5, she said: �I really appreciated one thing � it seemed the whole nation had resisted those involved in terrorist activities as we did during the Liberation War. That�s why the election was held and peace has returned.�

Hasina took pride in the fact that this was for the first time that a political party � the Awami League that she heads-- formed government for the second consecutive term.

�Those who had led the liberation struggle are leading that government.�

The Prime Minister said it was possible to provide congenial workplace environment for all due to government efforts.

This year Swadhinata Puroskar was given to Mohammad Abul Khayer (posthumously), Shahid Munsi Kabir Uddin Ahmed (posthumously), Shahid Qazi Azizul Islam (posthumously), Lt Col Abu Osman Chowdhury (retd), Dr Khasruzzaman Chowdhury (posthumously), Shahid SBM Mizanur Rahman (posthumously), and Dr Mohammad Haris Ali (posthumously) under independence and liberation war category.

Principal M Quamruzzaman was given the award posthumously for his contribution to education while renowned artist Qayyum Chowdhury was given it for his role in cultural field.

Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) got the award for its outstanding contribution to research and training.

The Prime Minister handed over a 50-gram gold award, a certificate and Tk 0.2 million in cash to the recipients or their representatives each.

Abu Osman Chowdhury was elated on receiving the award.

�It�s not possible to express the joy of having this award.�

Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan conducted the award-giving ceremony.

Local Time : 0344 Hours, 26 March 2024

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