Gazipur representative: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, I want the life of today’s children of our country to be beautiful and safe. Because today’s children are the wake of tomorrow. They will be leaders of Bangladesh. So I want children to become good citizens.
He said this at the closing ceremony of the 32nd Asia Pacific XI National Scout Jamboree organized by Scouts of Bangladesh at Maucha, Gazipur at 11 am on Wednesday (January 25).
Addressing the children and teenagers, the Prime Minister said that today’s children in Bangladesh will grow up with a generous heart. Will arise in patriotism, work to move and shape the country beautifully. Scouting therefore imparts moral and life training to the new generation and develops modern, progressive, creative qualities in the youth. As a result scout members are being initiated into the mantra of service and are developing themselves as conscious and patriotic citizens. As a philanthropist, he is making a special contribution in the field of social service. I want Scout to grow more widely.
Talking about various initiatives taken by the government to strengthen the scouts of the country, Sheikh Hasina said that we have taken various initiatives to strengthen the scout movement. The Ministry of Education is implementing Scout Shatabdi Bhavan construction project for expansion of Bangladesh Scout at a cost of Tk 140 crore, Scout building construction project in Moulvibazar district of Sylhet at a cost of Tk 48 crore 23 lakh, Regional Scout Training Center Lalmai Development Project at a cost of Tk 485 crore is being implemented. Besides, through the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, the fourth phase of the project is being implemented to expand Cub Scouting in primary schools at a cost of 19 lakhs. The National Training Center has allocated 9 acres of land to Maucha for forming Cub Teams and training Cub Scouts in 36,000 primary schools. However, forestry should be maintained on this land. Forestry cannot be destroyed, nor can more structures be built. As much as possible to preserve the natural beauty has already been done. Animation studio has been built, construction of modern swimming pool has been undertaken.
He said, I have allocated 188 acres of land to build an adventure training center for rover scouts in Chittagong and will build scout buildings and training centers in all districts and upazilas of the country. Our aim is to make children and youth self-reliant and good citizens through the expansion of scouting in the country. We have directed to open two cub scout and rover scout teams in all educational institutions and everyone should work to form scout teams in madrasas as well.
Addressing the scouts, the Prime Minister said, “In you lies our future political leaders, prime ministers, ministers, scientists, doctors, economists, engineers, poets, writers, administrators, teachers and members of the defense forces – who are serving the country.” All will rise from among you. Your knowledge, your consciousness, you alone can take this country forward in the future and that leadership will develop from among you, I hope that.
The Prime Minister said that by 2041, Bangladesh will be a hunger-free, poverty-free, well-informed nation. The nation will be a smart nation. We will make our people smart people in every aspect of our government, our economy. That is our goal.
Earlier, the Prime Minister was welcomed and felicitated with flowers, scarf, batch and waggle. The Prime Minister released commemorative postage stamps, distributed the Shapla Cub Award and handed over the APR Scout Flag. A memento was presented to the Prime Minister on the occasion.
