"We (the Awami league) want to build Bangladesh as a developed country, not a beggar country,” asserted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's advisor on information and communication (ICT) technology, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, at the Bangabandhu Youth Award function.Earlier, Sajeeb Wazed Joy gave away the awards to 10 young organisers and entrepreneurs at the Joy Bangla Award ceremony, organised by Young Bangla at the Sheikh Hasina National Youth Center in Savar.
The organisers of the function said the Joy Bangla Youth Awards were being given from 2015. Young Bangla was originally realised on 2 May 2014 as a platform to highlight the stories of success of young members of society.
State minister for power and energy Nasrul Hamid, state minister for ICT Junaid Ahmed Palak and several other leaders of the AL-led government were present at the programme.
In his speech, the PM’s son said as the chief guest that only the young generation could build the next ‘Sonar
Bangladesh’. “After achieving Independence in 1971, we learned to stand within four years, but the events of 15th August 1975 again brought the anti-Liberation forces to power.”
He also said, “Khaleda Zia has denied the deaths of three million martyrs”. This proves that the BNP wanted the country to retrogress and “it wanted to make us beggars”, he alleged. He added, “I want nobody else to deny the history of the War of Liberation.” He also said those who forget their own interest and work for society instead of thinking about themselves can build the digital Bangladesh.
Speaking about the developed world, Joy cited the example of Malaysia. He said, “Today Malaysia has advanced because its people elected their government four times. Bangladesh will become a middle-income country if the Awami League can have more terms in power. We arranged our own funding for the Padma Bridge. The BNP always makes the country lag behind.”
He also said that when developed countries are disinterested in helping neighbouring countries, “we make space for Rohingyas in our land, despite our limitations”.