Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said no one can stop the development journey of Bangladesh anymore as her government started it braving many obstacles.

‘As we’ve started the development journey overcoming many obstacles, Inshallah no one can stop this journey anymore,’ she said while addressing the reception accorded to the gallantry award winner freedom fighters and their heirs, reports the UNB.

The Prime Minister accorded the reception to 101 freedom fighters and their successors at Army Multipurpose Complex of Dhaka Cantonment on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day 2018.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is marching towards development and her government’s goal is the continuation of this development trend. ‘Inshallah, we’ll be able to do so (to continue the trend).’

About the Charter of Change announced by Awami League in its 2008 electoral manifesto, she said, ‘You now consider how much change we could’ve brought. But, I claim that we’ve surely been able to change the days (the fate of the common people).’

The Prime Minister said now many countries in the world want to follow Bangladesh to mark development. ‘The whole world recognises Bangladesh as the role model of development,’ she added.

Hasina said her government brought down the poverty rate to 21 percent from 40 per cent in the last 10 years. The government still has a goal to reduce the poverty rate by five percent further.

She, however, said Bangladesh still needs to be developed much more.

Hasina said Bangladesh earned dignity in the world during her government in the last 10 years. At present, no one can neglect Bangladesh as a country of hunger, poverty, dearth, storm and cyclone, she added.

The Prime Minister said the golden jubilee of the country’s independence will be celebrated in 2021 making the country as hunger- poverty-free Sonar (golden) Bangladesh as dreamt by Father of the Nation. ‘None can suppress Bangladesh anymore,’ she added.

Sheikh Hasina regretted that the history of the Liberation War was distorted after the killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, but the reality is that it is not possible to hide the truth of the history.

About the welfare of the freedom fighters, she said, the government is pledge-bound to ensure socio-economic development of the freedom fighters, and Bangladesh Freedom Fighters Act-2018 has been passed to this end.

The Prime Minister said every freedom fighter gets Tk 5000 as Victory Day Allowance and Tk 2000 as New Year Allowance (Baishakhi allowance) from the current fiscal year.

Hasina, who is also in- charge of the Defence Ministry, handed over Bahini Padak-2017 (Peace Time Awards) among 13 members of the Armed Forces — 9 Army members, one Navy member and three Air Force members— for their heroic and courageous contribution.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, PM’s Security Affairs Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique, Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Masihuzzaman Serniabat and Principal Staff Officer (PSO) of the Armed Forces Division (AFD) Lt Gen MdMahfuzur Rahman were present.