Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday urged all to work together in a planned way so that the country’s march forward based on the Liberation War spirit never stops.

‘I want Bangladesh to move forward with the Liberation War spirt and this journey must not be stopped as we want to make the country a middle-income one by 2021 and developed one by 2041,’ she said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the distribution ceremony of the ‘Swadhinata Puroskar-2018’ (Independence Award- 2018),the highest civilian honour of the country.

She handed over the awards to the recipients at a function organised by the Cabinet Division at Osmani Memorial Auditorium, reports the UNB.

This year, 18 distinguished personalities received the award in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their respective fields.

Sheikh Hasina said it was a dream of the Father of the Nation to fulfill the basic rights of people. ‘To me remaining in power means discharging my responsibilities to people, build the country with the great Liberation War spirit and make it a poverty- and hunger-free one as dreamt by the Father of the Nation,’ she said.

She mentioned that Bangladesh has fulfilled all the criteria to step into the developing country group. ‘We’ll now move in the world arena with our heads high, never bow down our heads.’

Congratulating the award recipients, the Prime Minister said the Independence Award will inspire the new generation about patriotism and taking the country forward with new enthusiasm.

She mentioned that the government feels honoured by rewarding heroes contributing to the nation and development of the country from their own places. The government will find out more such personalities for recognition.

Highlighting various development indices, including per capita income, poverty rate, GDP growth, foreign currency reserve, inflation and other parameters, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh is now in a strong position in all respects compared to 2005-2006.

Referring to Bangladesh’s eligibility criteria to graduate to a developing nation, Hasina said the country got the recognition after meeting all the three conditions with a large margin.

Cabinet SecretaryMohammad ShafiulAlam read out the citations at the programme.

Dr Mohammad Abdul Mazid also spoke on the occasion expressing feelings on behalf of this year’s Independence Award recipients.

Sheikh Rehana, the youngest daughter of the Father of Nation, cabinet members, the Deputy Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad, Prime Minister’s Advisers, Chairmen of various commissions, parliament members, educationists, diplomats and High Civil and Military officials were present.