Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday called upon all to work in unison to build a hunger-and-poverty-free developed and prosperous Bangladesh being imbued with the spirit of the liberation war.

‘I urge the entire Bangalee nation to work unitedly to build a hunger-and-poverty-free Sonar Bangla as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,’ she said while exchanging Bangla Naboborsho greetings with the leaders and workers of her party at her official Ganabhaban residence here this morning, reports the BSS.

‘We will ensure welfare of the country and nation through our all works and thus will transform Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous nation,’ she added.

The prime minister expressed the hope that the advancement of the country that has started will continue and the Bangalee nation will move on the world stage by keeping its head high.

‘Our aim is to build Bangladesh as a hunger-and-poverty-free peaceful nation in South Asia and I’ve firm belief that we’ll be able to achieve the goal,’ she said.

The premier expressed her firm optimism that Bangla Nabobarsho will enlighten the life of all and make it beautiful.

‘I hope that the new sun of Bangla Nabobarsho-1426 will illuminate the life of all and make it beautiful and successful,’ she said.

Extending her Nabobarsho greetings to all Bangalees at home and abroad, Sheikh Hasina hoped that the new year will bring a fresh message for the Bangalee nation.

‘We’ve stepped into Bangla new year leaving the old year behind … let’s wish together the new year to bring a fresh message for the Bangalee nation,’ she said.

The prime minister once again expressed gratitude to the countrymen, including party leaders and workers, to make the Awami League victorious in the last general elections.

At the outset of the speech, Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu, the four national leaders, three million martyrs, and two lakh mothers and sisters who were violated during the liberation war.

Deputy Leader of Parliament and senior Presidium Member of Awami League Syeda Sazeda Chowdhury, AL Advisory Council Members HT Imam, Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, Presidium Members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Advocate Sahara Khatun were present at the dais, among others.

PM’s daughter Saima Wazed Hossain and other family members were present on the occasion.

When the prime minister arrived at the Banquet Hall of Ganabhaban around 10:15 am, the artistes of Awami League and its associate bodies sang a number of songs including famous songs of Nobel laureate Poet Rabindranath Tagore – Eso He Boishakh, Anandaloke Mongalaloke.

Later, the members of Awami League Advisory Council and Presidium as well as other central leaders of the party greeted the prime minister by presenting bouquets.

On the occasion, the guests were entertained with traditional Bangalee sweetmeats like moa, murki, muroli, kadma and zilapi.