‘Yes’ Vote to Keep Power with the People: Rizwana Hasan
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has said that supporting a ‘Yes’ vote is essential if the balance of power is to remain with the people rather than the ruling elite.
She made the remarks on Sunday (January 11) at the ‘Citizen Award’ ceremony held at Nagar Bhaban in Gulshan-2. At the event, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) conferred the Citizen Award–25 on individuals, institutions and organisations for their contributions to urban development, environmental protection, social service and public awareness. Among the awardees were Uplift Bangladesh in the social media content creation category and Abdur Rashid Sohag in the innovator and startup category, alongside 23 other individuals and organisations.
Addressing the ceremony, Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, “We will vote on February 12. On that day, there will be two votes. One is the parliamentary election—vote thoughtfully so that you do not regret it later. The second vote, to be held on the same day, is the referendum. This is a major decision for Bangladesh.”
She added that if the people truly want reforms, the answer must be ‘Yes’. Missing this opportunity lightly could mean losing the chance to restore a balance of power for many more years.
Emphasising the importance of reading and understanding the referendum proposals, the adviser urged citizens to carefully review the information provided by the government and express their opinions in favour of reform. Addressing the youth, she said that simply being satisfied after freeing the country from autocracy would not be enough. The achievements of past anti-autocracy movements must not be allowed to go to waste.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan further stated, “We must overcome fear. The people of Bangladesh have repeatedly defeated fear. The sacrifices made by the youth to lay the foundation of democracy must be reflected in our votes on February 12.”
The event, presided over by DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz, was also attended by Adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adilur Rahman Khan, Local Government Secretary Rezaul Maksud Zahedi, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Mahmudul Hasan, writer and public intellectual Salimullah Khan, and DNCC Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Asaduzzaman, among others.
Among the award recipients, Uplift Bangladesh—honoured in the social media content creation category—has been producing development-focused content for the past five years. Regular and responsible coverage of urban transformation, infrastructure development and improvements in connectivity across DNCC areas has been a key strength of the platform.
In the innovator and startup category, awardee Abdur Rashid Sohag is the founder and chief executive officer of Pupil School Bus Limited. He has played a significant role in introducing organised transportation services for school students in busy metropolitan areas such as Dhaka and Chattogram. Currently, around 7,000 students from more than 45 educational institutions use the service daily, reducing parental anxiety while easing congestion by cutting down hundreds of private vehicles on city roads.
The Environment-Friendly Educational Institution award went to Bhashantek School and College, which was established in 1980. Beyond academics, the institution has consistently promoted humanitarian values, social responsibility and environmental awareness. By integrating environmental conservation into institutional practices, it has implemented various eco-friendly initiatives with active participation from students, teachers and guardians.
In the Animal Protection and Animal Rights category, the award was given to PAW Foundation (PAWF) for its work in rescuing injured and endangered animals, ensuring treatment and rehabilitation, raising public awareness against animal cruelty, and taking legal action when necessary to help build a more humane and compassionate city.
DBTech/PAD/EK/OR
