Tens of thousands of people on Saturday joined a public rally, organised by the Awami League, at Kathalbari under Shibchar Upazila in Madaripur on the bank of the Padma River marking the opening of the much-awaited Padma Bridge.
In her address at the rally, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has described the construction of Padma Bridge with domestic funds as an appropriate reply to the conspirators against the much-anticipated project, according to BSS and UNB.
“Through the construction of the Padma Bridge with our own funds we’ve been able to give a befitting reply to those who tried to obstruct it,” she said addressing the mammoth public meeting.
Hasina, also the AL president, once again vowed that she is ready to make any sacrifice for the development of the country and the welfare of the people.
“I am always ready to make any sacrifice to establish your rights, to change your destiny. I’ve promised it before you. If needed, I’ll sacrifice my own life for you,” she told the crowds amid thunderous clapping and chants of “Joy Bangla” and “Joy Bangabandhu.”
The premier said she will work to ensure a better living standard for the next generations.
Noting that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had achieved independence for the people of Bangladesh, she said her government will build Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous Sonar Bangla.
"I'll ensure that the children of our country will get more improved lives. It’s my promise to you,” she added.
Prime Minister reached the venue at around 12.50 pm when thousands of people especially leaders and workers of Awami League from 21 districts reverberated slogans like Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu.
The primer replied to the audience by waving her hand. Colourful papers were also dropped from helicopters in the venue and the people also cheered it by chanting slogans.
According to the organisers, as many as one million people joined the mammoth public rally.
Since the dawn, people in thousands especially leaders and workers of Awami League and its associate bodies started thronging the rally venue at Kathalbari on the bank of river Padma to join it.
The rally began at 9.15 am with recitation from the Holy Scriptures.
Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Chief Whip of the National Parliament Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury delivered the welcome addresses while its Publicity and Publications Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap and Organising Secretary Mirza Azam moderated it.
AL Presidium Member Abdur Razzaque, AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, AL Presidium Member Abdur Rahman, Organising Secretary SM Kamal Hossain, the lawmaker from Bagerhat-1 constituency Sheikh Helal Uddin, among others addressed the rally.
Since the dawn, people from different parts of the country especially from 21 south and south-western districts started coming to the venue located on the bank of river Padma at Kathalbari ghat which has been decorated gorgeously with making a symbolic makeshift Padma Bridge having 10 spans on 11 pillars.
People from different parts reached to Kathalbai venue by buses, launches, boats, trucks, cars, micro-buses and other modes of communication.
Clad in colourful traditional panjabi, sharee, t-shirt with the inscription of greetings for Padma Bridge opening, caps, ribbons and hats, a huge number of men and women irrespective of ages thronged the venue.
They also came holding different banners extending thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her dynamic leadership in implementing the dream project which will bring massive progress in road connectivity in the 21 districts.
Talking to the reporter, elderly Abdul Halim Talukder, member of Joynagar Union under Janjira Upazila of Shariatpur said: “We reached Jamaddar stand of Shibchar last night to join today’s rally.
As many as 3000 leaders and workers of the Joynagar union have come here. There was an arrangement of food and a small cultural function at the stand for their refreshment last night” Lavlu Sheikh, who came from Mollahat Upazila of Bagerhat district, said they started their journey at 10.30 pm last night and reached the venue around 6:00 am today.
He said around 30,000 people have come from that Upazila to join the rally.
The venue was decorated with small and large boats.
Before the symbolic bridge, the opening stage has been set up. The makeshift bridge is 200 feet long and 8 feet wide. The stage is 15 feet long and 40 feet wide.
A 60-feet long gigantic boat floats on the water in front of the stage. Several small boats are also there.
The venue has been prepared on around 15 acres of land. Gigantic screens were set up at the venue for allowing all to watch the programme on a monitor apart from the living view.
Decorated boats with different festoons were also kept floating on the river Padma beside the venue.
Stringent security measures were taken to avert any untoward incident. Six watch towers were set up on the premises of the stage. More than 150 CCTV cameras were set up.
Members of the Army, several units of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police, and Special Security Forces (SSF) members were working at the venue.