Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the responsible engineers to study before it is implemented, whether the project will benefit the country and the people; whether it will be profitable. She expressed her thought while speaking at the inauguration of the 61st Convention of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) at the premises of the IEB, located at Ramna in the capital on Saturday, May 11.
The main theme of the convention was ‘Engineering and Technology for Smart Bangladesh’. IEB President Engineer Md. Abdus Sabur, General Secretary Engineer SM. Manjurul Haque Manju and IEB Dhaka Center Chairman Engineer Mohammad Hossain and General Secretary Engineer Md. Nazrul Islam were present on stage at the opening ceremony of the Convention.
Addressing the engineers at the conference, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, ‘Whatever plan is adopted, it must be environmentally friendly. The country must be protected from the damage of climate change. Planning should be done keeping that goal in mind. At the same time, the issue of cost must also be taken into consideration. What the people will get from the project and what will be the return from it – these have to be taken into consideration. We can’t just build for the sake of building. I have told the matter in Parliament. Otherwise, no project will be approved.’
Calling upon the engineers to emphasize research, Sheikh Hasina said, ‘In order to move forward in agricultural mechanization, we need to focus on how we can use the innovative power and talent of the engineers in the country’s work.’
Mentioning that many people do not like the development of the country, the Prime Minister said, ‘There is a group, they do not like anything. People are enjoying the benefits of Padma Bridge; people’s life has become easier. They cannot accept it.’
“There has been criticism of the satellite launch. Earlier satellite TV channels had to be connected from abroad by spending dollars. It doesn’t take today. We can now connect to remote areas. I can take care of the deep sea. The second satellite that will be launched will be able to provide more comprehensive services. – added the Prime Minister.
Addressing the critics, Sheikh Hasina said, ‘A nuclear power plant does not pollute the environment. Then, why shall we not be connected with these sort modern technologies? Why shall we stay behind? Why do those who criticize it drive a car? Why do they board on a plane? Why do they not ride bullock carts?’
The PM told the engineers, ‘It doesn’t matter who said what. It is a matter of seeing whether the common people are well, whether they are improving. You too will look at whether the fortunes of the grassroots people are changing in each of your actions.’
While speaking as the President, Engineer Sabur Khan said, “We will invent domestic technology at a low cost by utilizing the immense creativity of the people of the country without being optimistic to build a smart Bangladesh.” A knowledge-based economy will make us invincible in the near future in the global economic arena as a pioneer nation under the motto of development.”
Mentioning the engineers as the driving force of development of the country, the IEB president emphasized the monitoring and coordination of ongoing infrastructural development under various ministries by forming an engineering wing in the Prime Minister’s office and appointing skilled and smart engineers.
While delivering his welcome speech, Engineer Mohammad Hossain, Chairman of Dhaka Center said that, engineers have contributed to the final recommendation of the unique achievement of transformation from underdeveloped to developing countries. In this era of globalization overall development is impossible without development of technology and engineering knowledge. An architect creates a development model and an engineer converts that model into reality. In that sense we are the construction workers of smart Bangladesh infrastructure. But already the talented children of the family are turning away from engineering education and those who are in this profession are also moving away. In this regard, he wished for the visionary steps of the Prime Minister.
