Sheikh Hasina and Indomitable Journey of Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina is moving forward on the path of fulfilling the incomplete dream as Father of the Nation Bangabandhu took forward a war-torn country.

Under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dynamic leadership and long-term planning, achieving MDGs, implementing SDGs, launching Padma Bridge and Metrorail, education, health, gender equality, agriculture, reducing poverty line, increasing life expectancy, export-oriented industrialization, 100 special economic zones, garment industry, pharmaceutical industry, export earnings various economic indicators have increased with growth.

During the tenure of this government, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has done various development activities for the country in the last 15 years. After the assassination of Bangabandhu at the hands of anti-independence domestic and foreign gangs, black darkness engulfed Bangladesh, she was the first to light the torch of light to chase away that darkness. Like her father, Sheikh Hasina is a firm believer in democracy. She was at the forefront of the movement to establish voting rights in this country. She also feels the pain of the poor people of the country most deeply. She is also focused on managing the country's economy.

Bangabandhu's dream of building a golden Bangladesh is being implemented by the Prime Minister with hard work and talent. With the hands of the world leader, this country will transform into a bright developed country like Singapore and Malaysia in a short time. Only Sheikh Hasina can build a developed, prosperous and peaceful Bengali nation and Bangladesh. Loved the country more than children. Father's unfinished work that needs to be completed. A non-sectarian, democratic and future modern Bangladesh should be built. This is also the expectation of the new generation. In the last 15 years, the country has reached a new height of socio-economic development. 

Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina started working as a path and path for the overall welfare, development, and liberation of the people of Bangladesh. She proved that she has no alternative in the development of democracy in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina has brought the Awami League to power after 21 years as a popular party and is working tirelessly to institutionalize democracy. Awami League has always been politically vocal and protestant against all kinds of exploitation, deprivation, injustice, injustice, and oppression in addition to the economic, social, political and cultural liberation of people in any democratic movement in Bangladesh and still she is working. 

People's fortunes improve when this party is in power. The history of this country from the birth of this party bears the sign of that truth. Bangabandhu turned the Awami League into a popular grassroots political party. After his brutal murder, his exiled daughter Sheikh Hasina has taken the reins as Awami League president as a symbol of unity in extremely difficult times. She has walked a long way in the struggle for democracy. She has repeatedly returned from the face of death. This initiative gave Sheikh Hasina an opportunity to unite the party. After 21 years with that united power, she won the election in 1996 and brought the party to power. 

By forming the government in 1996, Sheikh Hasina made the impossible possible, bringing the murderers of her family to justice and later bringing the war criminals to justice and she got the opportunity to carry forward the ideals of the Bengali nation. Sheikh Hasina's integrity, devotion, integrity, rational mindset, strong morale, wisdom and extraordinary leadership have established Bangladesh at a different height in the world arena and she is known as the leader of the world. Bangladesh will become the 29th largest economy in the world by 2030 and the 23rd economy by 2050. In 2026, Bangladesh will make its debut in the world as a 'middle-income country' and in 2041 as a 'developed country'. The big proof that Bangladesh is moving forward is that the per capita income of the country's people has increased over the past few years. Current per capita income is 2 thousand 765 dollars. Bangladesh is one of the top countries in the world in terms of economic progress. Inauguration of Metrorail and Padma Bridge are both development milestones. 

Successfully combating Covid-17 pandemic education, communication infrastructure, gas, electricity, women's education, 100% increase in salary and allowances of employees, health care, distribution of free books, achieving self-sufficiency in food production, under social programs backward communities, destitute, elderly, widows, disabled persons, assistance to the women victims of violence and divorced women, autism, providing assistance to destitute freedom fighters, shelter scheme, Aam Bari Aam Khar scheme, women empowerment, the government led by the Prime Minister has played a major role in the overall development of various sectors. The role of electricity in the development of a country is undeniable. Persistent power shortages slowed down the country's rapid growth. In other words, the long-standing electricity problem in the country, which could not be solved by the previous governments, the Awami League government has delivered electricity to the doorsteps of the people. This production is not only used for household purposes but also for other means of electricity, which has turned the wheel of the country's economy. On the other hand, the revenue of the government has also increased. Although there are complaints of corruption almost everywhere, the most relief given to the government is the agricultural sector and its management. In a populous country like ours, careful and cautious use of limited arable land is desirable. Our dependence on the import of agricultural products has reduced to a great extent. Because of this agricultural revolution, the country of 170 million people has been made self-sufficient in food, which is a very positive aspect for the country. Today's agricultural revolution is the invention of the Awami League. Our main sources of revenue, especially foreign exchange earnings, are exports of manufactured garments and manpower. Although it started with private ownership, these two sectors have gained enough speed due to the interest of the government. 

As a result, the driving force of the country's economy has gained momentum. Along with that, the unemployment problem of the country has been solved a lot. There are products that are exportable, which cannot be exported by private enterprises. The government's action in this regard is remarkable. Governments and owners still have a lot to do to make the manufacturing environment acceptable to foreign buyers. When the World Bank canceled the allocation from the Padma Bridge, the Awami League government took it as a challenge. The government took the initiative to build the bridge with its own funding. The existence of the bridge is important to all of us now. This bridge is changing our economy. Over the past few years, the Awami League government has vowed to build infrastructure. Flyovers, underpasses and metro rails etc. have been constructed. Desired and dream metro rail started its journey on December 28, 2022. Elevated Expressway, Padma Bridge Rail, Karnaphuli Tunnel, and Matarbari Power Station were inaugurated recently. So far 2.7 lakh people out of 5 lakh 55 thousand 617 families have been rehabilitated. 1 crore 22 lakh 13 thousand 955 persons are working abroad as migrant workers. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been praised in the international arena for taking various steps to ensure people's health protection to save lives from the COVID-19 pandemic. We ranked first in South Asia and fifth in the world. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been able to bring economic and social progress to Bangladesh by having the opportunity to rule the country for a long time. Its recognition is the UN SDG Progress Award 2021. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has received many such recognitions. Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was selected as one of the three most successful and exemplary women heads of government in the Commonwealth of Nations. 

Last November, 200 bridges in 25 districts of the country were opened for traffic. Many highways in the country have been upgraded to four or more lanes. Others are in progress. Satellite Bangabandhu-1 has been launched as the 57th country in the world and now work is underway for Satellite Bangabandhu-2. Delta Plan-2100 has been formulated to protect our generations from the impacts of climate change and build a better future. The whole world is passing through an unstable economic situation today. At the end of 2019, the world was hit by the Covid pandemic. In these two years 2020 and 2021, a deep wound was created in the world economy. Many countries' economies collapsed. Our economy also suffers. Just as our economy was recovering from the damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war began. and this war is not just a war of arms, added to this is a terrible economic war. The effects of economic warfare are not confined to the borders of a single country but spread globally. The post-Russia-Ukraine war economic embargo-reciprocal embargo has crippled the global economy. Just as the loss of life due to COVID-19 has been reduced by taking timely measures, all efforts have been made to keep the economy running. 

These achievements have been possible because the Awami League government has been running the government consistently. Working with the determination to make Bangladesh a developed, smart Bangladesh by 2041. For this, the vision plan 2041 has been formulated and the implementation has started. Today, Bangladesh has joined the ranks of developing countries. The country is now self-sufficient in food grain production. This year, 4 crore 72 lakh tonnes of grains including 4 crore 4 lakh tonnes of rice have been produced. Fish, meat, eggs, the production of various agricultural products including milk, vegetables, and fruits has increased at a great rate. The poverty rate has come down from 40 percent to 20 percent. The literacy rate has increased from 45 percent to 75.2 percent. Maternal and infant mortality rates have decreased. These achievements have been possible because the Awami League government has been running the government consistently. Revolutionary changes have come in the communication infrastructure sector during the government. The largest Payra Bridge in the southern region was inaugurated in October last year.

The main goal of this government is to work for the welfare of the people. No one wants people to suffer or suffer. Due to global factors, prices of daily necessities increased. It is starting to become more normal now. Inflation is also coming down. As soon as the price of any commodity including fuel oil falls in the world market, the government adjusts it. Addressing the countrymen with the urge to increase food production, the Prime Minister mentioned, "We need to increase agricultural production. Our soil is fertile. Why do we need to import agricultural products from outside where trees grow and bear fruit when seeds are planted in the ground? We have to utilize every inch of land and not leave it fallow. Crisis will come. Don't be afraid of crisis. With everyone's help, Bangladesh has been able to successfully deal with the Covid pandemic. Bangladesh will successfully deal with the current global recession.

Hiren Pandit is a columnist and researcher.