Highlighting the various steps taken by the government, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mentioned the youth of 2041 as the artisans of building a developed country; She said, “After forming government (in 1996), our aim was to educate the youth of the country in real education. In those days no one learned computers, there were no computers. Only a few offices might have desktops as decoration pieces, but no one used those. It was I who took the initiative to teach technology first. Because at that time only seven percent of our children were involved in science education or technical education. That is why I have decided to establish 12 science and technology universities. Put emphasis on technical education.”
She expressed her views while speaking as the Chief Guest at the ‘Sheikh Hasina Youth Volunteer Award’ ceremony to award 11 people for their extraordinary contribution in various social fields.
The Prime Minister said, we have developed digital Bangladesh. The online world is now at your fingertips. Therefore, we have created many opportunities for online business, jobs, freelancing. At the same time, we have taken initiatives to develop human power suitable for the fourth industrial revolution, which is completely dependent on technology. We have taken initiative to build Sheikh Jamal Youth Training and Recreation Center in every Upazila. Only our youth will be able to build the country as a developed and prosperous Sonar Bangla of the father of the nation’s dream. Our young society will be the craftsman of ’41.
The fourth industrial revolution requires an up-to-date youth. There are many countries in the world where the elderly population is high. We don’t want to go to that state. We want to make our young society fit for the fourth industrial revolution. For this, the present government has taken various initiatives after coming to power from where they can take various facilities.
Stating that the government has already provided skill development training to 36 lakh 83 thousand 361 people; the head of government said that 1 lakh people have become self-reliant through self-employment. Also, I am giving training there by starting National Service. Bangabandhu Youth Loan Program has been taken up. We have given temporary employment to 2 lakh 35 thousand educated young men and women under the National Service Programme. 1 thousand 390 crore taka have been given to 5 lakh trained youth as youth loans. An MoU has been made through Karma-Sangsthan Bank (Employment Bank) and NRBC Bank to develop youth as entrepreneurs. From here the trained youth will get startup capital loan facility of Tk. 5-10 lakh.
Minister of State for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell presented the award to them on behalf of the Prime Minister at the Osmani Smriti Auditorium in the capital Dhaka on Sunday (September 11) morning. The Prime Minister was connected virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. Each of the 11 awardees was given Tk. 1 lakh and a memento.
Among them, Jago Foundation’s Executive Director Karavi Raksand Dhrubo and PEN Foundation’s Meghna Khatun have been honored this year for their outstanding contribution in education, science, information technology and technology categories. Masum Alam, resident of Shariatpur, and Kamrun Nahar Lipi, resident of Netrakona, received the Award for outstanding contribution in the youth development and employment category.
NKM Munna Talukdar of Rangamati and Raju Ahmed of Lakshmipur were awarded for their contribution in the field of patriotism, valor and bravery. Milton Samaddar, resident of Barisal and Kasmirul Haque, resident of Sunamganj, received the award for exemplary service to senior citizens or contribution to social welfare. And Nigar Sultana Jyoti, Captain of the national women’s cricket team , a resident of Sherpur, and Mustafa Sarkar, a resident of Rajshahi, were honored for their significant contribution to sports, arts (Arts and Crafts) and culture.