CHITTAGONG: Bangladesh Navy Ship (BNS) Osman was awarded with the title of National Standard as a part of recognition of the ship’s outstanding services in the naval force at home and abroad for the past 25 years.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday awarded the ship, which had recently returned home after completing its 4-year service in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Lebanon.

The premier, at the program, said BNS Osman has elevated the position of Bangladesh Navy to a new height and has brightened the image of the nation.

‘It’s a time of pride for the whole nation as well as the armed forces and Bangladesh Navy,’ she added.

Recalling the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who first recognized the progress of Bangladesh Navy by giving the National Standard to BNS Isa Khan in 1974, the PM said that Father of the Nation was firmly committed to build up a modern naval force to protect the country’s maritime areas and its resources.

Earlier on the day, Navy Chief Vice Admiral M Farid Habib, NDC, PSC received the Prime Minister as she arrived in Chittagong.

However, BNS Osman, a multipurpose guided missile frigate, was commissioned in Bangladesh Navy in 1989. The ship has huge contribution to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

It has participated in more than five hundred exercises at home and abroad and trained 445 BN officers and sailors.

BDST: 1412 HRS, OCT 11, 2014