Awami  League general secretary and also Road Transport and Bridges Minister, Obaidul Quader, yesterday (Saturday) urged people to launch a social movement against drugs, corruption and food adulteration. “A social movement is needed as drug addiction is destroying our society like a tsunami. Food adulteration and corruption are rampant like other countries of the world. We have to control these problems. I would like to urge the alumni members of sociology and students to do something to reduce the problems,” he said.      

Quader was addressing a programme, organised by the Dhaka University Sociology Department Alumni Association (DUSAA), at Dhaka University’s TSC auditorium.     “We are assuring you from our party that the government of Sheikh Hasina is determined to hold elections to Dhaka’s two city corporations in a free, fair and acceptable manner. Unfortunately, those saying the elections will not be free and fair have lost the elections before they are held. Their assumption is unfounded. To prove it, we will provide all cooperation to the Election Commission (EC),” he added.

According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Bangladesh has secured the top position in Asia in GDP growth, with 8.13 per cent. “Our current economy is about 180 crore US dollar and it will be 300 crore at the time of our Golden Jubilee.” Quader said Bangladesh has reached a unique position through tremendous development, thanks to the efforts of Sheikh Hasina. She has turned into a statesman from a politician as she always thinks about the next generation. He quoted Winston Churchill: “A politician thinks about the next election, and a statesman thinks about the next generation.”

Love for the people is the only secret of Sheikh Hasina’s political success and people also love her for her honesty and bravery, he added. After returning to the country, Sheikh Hasina has been maintaining two legacies which include hierarchy of Bangabanddhu in politics and freedom in economy. Recalling his illness, Quader said he was grateful to his well-wishers. “I entered the second phase of my life. My condition improved miraculously, and it happened because of your prayers and love,” he said.

Quader congratulated the sociology alumni for introducing a new scholarship, “Martyr Sheikh Kamal and Martyr Sultana Kamal Memorial Scholarship”, for 10 students for their outstanding academic performance. Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, principal secretary to the Prime Minister also president of the DUSAA, presided over the function while secretary Md Kamal Sharif and the Dean of the Social Science faculty, Dr Sadeka Halim, also spoke on the occasion.