Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Saturday said the Padma Bridge will open a new door of multi-dimensional economic potentiality in the country.
"The Padma Bridge is the perfect reflection of the honesty, indomitable courage, determination and wisdom of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the worthy daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," she said while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar at CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka, reports BSS.
Awami League's Information and Research Sub-Committee organised the seminar titled "Sheikh Hasina's Construction of Padma Bridge: A Landmark Victory of Bangladesh as well as Developing Countries in the Global System."
Chaired by the Prime Minister's Finance Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, the seminar was also addressed, among others, by State Minister for Planning Dr Samsul Alam, Economist Dr M Kholiquzzaman, former chief information commissioner Dr Golam Rahman and former vice-chancellor of BRAC University and Water Resources Management and Climate Change International Expert Dr Ainun Nishat.
Bangladesh Awami League Information and Research Secretary Dr Selim Mahmood presented the keynote in the seminar.
The speaker congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for completing the construction of the long-cherished Padma Bridge.
Referring to the statement of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the speaker said, "The Padma Bridge is not just a bridge made with bricks and stones, it is related to the passion, self-confidence, love and pride of millions of Bangalis."
"This bridge is a complete reflection of the people's confidence in the prime minister. Therefore, the construction of 'Padma Bridge' is a symbol of turning around this country, a symbol of self-reliance, a symbol of not accepting defeat and a symbol of victory," Dr Shirin said.
She said the Padma Bridge would revolutionise the industry by connecting Mongla and Payra ports. The bridge will contribute to the country's overall GDP growth by creating trade opportunities domestically and internationally, especially in South Asia and will improve the socio-economic and living standards of Southwestern people.
The speaker hoped that the bridge would be considered a milestone for the development of people living on the bank of the Padma River.
Dr Shirin said that the Padma Bridge is the proof of Bangladesh's progress by defeating all conspiracies, adding, "The World Bank withdrew its funding from the Padma Bridge on the basis of the notion of corruption. Such a conspiratorial decision is in direct conflict with the World Bank's goals and objectives."
She said that no obstacle could hold the Bangali nation down. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has never head-downed in the question of the language movement, independence of Bangladesh and rights of the people.
"As a result, we got Bangla language and the independence. Similarly, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given the dream of 'Padma Bridge' to the people of Bangladesh, destroying hundreds of obstacles," Dr Shirin stated.
Referring to her son and daughter's remarks about the Padma Bridge, she said that the new generation thinks that the Padma Bridge is an awakening of self-reliance.
"The Padma Bridge is a combined effort of strong leadership and strong unity. This realisation of the young generation will elevate Bangladesh to a unique height - Bangladesh will move forward," the speaker said.
Eminent personalities, leaders and workers of different levels of the Awami League, invited guests and senior officials of the Jatiya Sangsad secretariat and media personalities joined the seminar.