Hiren Pandit: The Bangladesh Awami League, the oldest and largest political party in the country, is an expression of democratic practice. This party was formed by Bangabandhu and has contributed a lot to the country. However, the nation’s expectations from Awami League are much higher than this. The daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Hasina is now leading this party. There has been a lot of development in the country, there have been many mega projects, and the government has handled the corona pandemic well. Apart from this, there have been many positive achievements. But in some cases, there is a shortfall in meeting people’s expectations.
In fact, there is no end to people’s expectations. But people’s expectations are more towards Awami League than any other core. The people expect human values, democracy, civil rights and people involved in running the country at a very high level. In fact, if the expectations are high, there is some talk of disappointment. Disappointment occurs when there is a gap between expectation and achievement. To overcome disappointment, one must stay close to human expectations. We hear about corruption in various sectors. Awami League must take steps to eliminate financial irregularities. Bangabandhu’s commitment to standing as a more dignified nation, continuing democratic progress and creating a democratic society – we are a little far from expectations in these three areas. Human expectations have to fill this space and it is not possible that another party will come and change them overnight. However, the gap between expectations and achievements remains. It is about social and human dignity; it is about elections. We hope that the government will try to eliminate them.
Awami League is a large party. It’s not individualistic, it’s a team. From that point in Awami League, some distance has been created between civil society, intellectuals, journalists, teachers, the middle class and the working masses. This distance must be solved. As much as Bangabandhu’s Awami League was involved with the people, it seems to have moved away from it. Some have shifted to businessmen, to the bureaucracy and to those who play a role in the administration of the state. But there are two opposing trends. It will be better if this matter is coordinated.
TCB products are being sold by trucks in different areas. It is positive that the government is trying to provide goods at lower prices. But when you see a long line behind this truck, it means that these people were not meant to be like this. The matter should be looked into. Awami League President Sheikh Hasina mentioned, “Criticisms will come, there will be conspiracies, but Awami League leaders and workers will definitely move forward unitedly to face those conspiracies.” That is what we want. Highlighting the various development activities of the government to the nation, Sheikh Hasina informed the plan of AL to build a smart Bangladesh in the coming days. She reiterated Bangladesh will not go backward, Bangladesh will go forward, and we will fulfill the dream of the father of the nation.
The Awami League has made the Election Commission completely independent. Earlier, the Election Commission had no financial capacity. The whole was kept with the Prime Minister’s Office, which we handed over to the Election Commission from the Prime Minister’s Office. They are given money directly from the budget so that they can work independently. Highlighting her position against corruption, Sheikh Hasina said, ‘My father was the president, he was the prime minister. I am a four-time prime minister. If our family did corruption, then they could not give anything else to the people of the country. We have come to give to the people of the country. I came to do it for people. ‘
Sheikh Hasina mentioned one thing we are moving forward rapidly today after overcoming all barrenness. There was an obstacle in it, Corona, then the Russia-Ukraine war started. We don’t want that war, we don’t want sanctions. Turn them off. All countries are independent. They have the right to walk freely. All countries should have this right. War harms people, we know the horrors of war. ‘
Despite the global challenges, the current per capita income of Bangladesh is 2765 US dollars. As Bangladesh celebrates its golden jubilee of independence, the country has been elevated to advanced status. Stand by people in any disaster. Awami League president Sheikh Hasina highlighted that the party Awami League and its affiliated organizations stand by the people in any disaster. Because this is the Awami League and this is the teaching of the Awami League.
The government led by Awami League president Sheikh Hasina completed 15 years of serving three consecutive terms. During this period, the success and achievements of the government are not less. Awami League President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the liberation war of this country. The Awami League celebrated the 51st anniversary of the country’s independence while it was in power. Again, Bangabandhu’s birth centenary was celebrated as Mujib year under the leadership of the Awami League government. The opponents of the government have continuously complained about the lack of democracy in the country. On the other hand, there is no question about the tremendous development of the country. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is handling the challenge of maintaining political stability in Bangladesh during the global crisis and managing the country very well.
Awami League President Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to power for the third time in a row after an incredible victory in the 11th parliamentary elections and started a new government with a bunch of new faces. 12th National Parliament election will be held end of this year. Before the elections, the people of the country will surely sit down to compare their achievements and non-achievements. What did Bangladesh get in Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year management of the country?.
An elevated expressway is also in progress. Bangabandhu Tunnel is under the Karnaphuli River of Chattogram waiting for the inauguration. Bangladesh has announced its position in space as well. The launch of the Bangabandhu satellite has added a new dimension to our science and technology. The map of Bangladesh and India has changed as a result of the enclave exchange agreement between these two countries. Bangladesh’s maritime boundary has increased with the victory in the International Court of Disputed Maritime Boundary.
The example of a party coming to power for the third consecutive term is rare in the world. Awami League has promised to take Bangladesh further in the progress of prosperity. In the last 15 years, a new trend of economic and infrastructure development has been created. Undoubtedly, the support of young voters played a major role in the absolute victory of the Awami League-led Grand Alliance in the 11th National Assembly elections. According to the information of the electoral manifesto prepared by Awami League for the 11th National Parliament elections, about one-third of the total population of the country is young. Now employment must be created for this huge working population. According to the manifesto, the Awami League government has to reform the traditional education system to ensure the expected employment of the youth. Technical education and non-formal training should be taken seriously beyond the continuing trend of general education expansion. In addition to the export of labor-dependent human resources abroad, the issue of sending skilled workers should also be considered seriously.
It will be difficult to strike a balance if we do not create employment pathways based on the skills and qualifications of the youth. Highly educated and highly skilled youth need to think about job creation abroad. The quality of education in engineering universities, science and technology universities and agricultural universities should be made more dynamic and timelier in order to develop quality and skilled human resources for competition in the global market. At the same time, students of general universities should set up ‘Skill Development Centre’.
Last year, the eighth five-year plan for the period 2021-25 was approved the estimated cost of implementation of which has been estimated at 64 lakh 95 thousand 980 crores. A target of 1 crore 16 lakh 70 thousand employment creation has been set during this period. After the implementation of the eighth five-year plan, the poverty rate will come down to 15.6 percent and the extreme poverty rate will come down to 7.4 percent. In the last year 2025, the GDP growth rate will stand at 8.51 percent.
The world today is full of praise for Bangladesh due to its enviable progress. Bangladesh is said to be a role model in development. Bangladesh continues to advance in various global indices. In some indicators, it has overtaken India-Pakistan to take the top spot in South Asia. Bangladesh is ranked 81st among the 100 most powerful countries in the world in 2021 in the US-based CEO World magazine. According to UK-based think tank Center for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), Bangladesh will be the 28th largest economy in the world in 2030. Canadian online publishing company Visual Capitalist published a report on December 29. According to that report, Bangladesh’s position among the world’s largest economies is 35th. Bangladesh has left behind Singapore and Malaysia in terms of GDP. Everything has become possible due to the dynamic leadership of the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Naturally, the people of the country will get positive results by comparing the accounts of three consecutive terms including these four years.
The grassroots leaders of the party have requested Awami League President Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina not to rent a boat in the upcoming 12th National Parliament elections. The district leaders made this demand in the Council. They said in a tone of complaint, some are giving themselves as party soul, and some are selling the party. Our campaign cell needs to be strengthened for the campaign in local and foreign circles. If the development of the government reaches every ward union, all the conspiracies of the destroyers will fail.
There are conspiracies going on at home and abroad against the development of Sheikh Hasina, so everyone to be careful, the leaders must be united against all conspiracies. The leaders and workers of the party should move forward with new challenges, and make the party more modern and stronger in the next election. If Awami League is united, no political force in the country can defeat them. The party’s leaders and workers at all levels prepare for the upcoming national elections and that no one can defeat the Awami League unless they defeat themselves. So, everyone should be united. The unity of the Awami League is the main strength of the party.
Hiren Pandit is a columnist and a researcher