Grand reception for Sheikh Hasina
Fridays grand
reception proves that Sheikh Hasina has now become the leader of people of Bangladesh in
general rather than a political party only. As the peoples leader, she fittingly dedicated the awards to them
This time it was an exception. After her tour to Canada for participation in the fifth Replenishment Conference of Global Fund and the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, when the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived Dhaka she was accorded a grand reception. The cheering crowds of people welcomed her through her way from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Gonobhavan gathering on the both sides of roads holding banners, placards and festoons. They threw flower petals on her way as she responded them by waving her hand.
Many high ranking state officials were present at the airport. To give a rousing reception, thousands of people spontaneously poured on the streets from the different corners of the capital and, despite the fact that it was Friday, commuters had to face traffic jams at certain intersections right after the noon even though the Emirates flight carrying Sheikh Hasina touched the runway of the airport in the evening.
Sheikh Hasina was accorded the warm welcome for winning two awards, Planet 50-50 Champion and the Global Partnership Forums Agent of Change. It is worth mentioning that the former one was offered to Sheikh Hasina for her outstanding contribution to bridging the gap in gender disparity and women empowerment in Bangladesh. The country has achieved a lot in terms of women emancipation in economic and social spheres. The growth of ubiquitous garments industries and micro credit schemes of different NGOs have lifted a great number of poor women of rural areas from the quagmire of poverty.
Not only among the marginal class of people have this development taken place, even in government decision making womens participation in Bangladesh is significantly increasing. Here is a country where the job of the prime minister, opposition leader, speaker in the parliament and key ministerial posts is now being delivered by women. In the civil administration also, women are increasingly stamping their feet and successfully shouldering responsibility in decision making roles. The present government has prioritised womens equal participation in nation building activities and the society is now reaping the fruits of this effort.
Fridays grand reception proves that Sheikh Hasina has now become the leader of people of Bangladesh in general rather than Awami League only. As a peoples leader, she fittingly dedicated the awards to them. While receiving the prize Planet 50-50 Champion at the UN Plaza, she said, I dream of a world where womens rights will be respected by all, where all forms of violence and discriminations against women will be things of the past. We wish her dream is fulfilled.
