CHITTAGONG: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday called upon the newly-commissioned officers of Bangladesh Army to serve country and countrymen generously.

She also asked the officers to remain always alert and ready for safeguarding the country’s hard-earned independence and sovereignty.

The premier was addressing the President's Parade of 71 BMA Long Course and 42 BMA Special Course at Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) Parade Ground in Bhatiari on Wednesday noon.

Hasina added: “A sacred responsibility for protecting great independence and sovereignty of the motherland is being reposed on you from today. So, you will have to always remain vigil and ready for discharging this duty.”

The Awami League president also expressed hope that protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty with the last drop of blood would be the first and main motto in the life of the newly-commissioned officers.

"You will have to serve the country and people without interest and don't move back from this task," she said. She also conveyed her best wishes to the new Army officers.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh Army has been able to earn praises of all quarters for its efficiency and professionalism in discharging responsibilities reposed on them at home and abroad.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has now been established as a promising and peaceful country on the world stage.

"Our country has been making important contribution to maintain world peace by sending highest troops in the United Nations Peacekeeping Missions," she said.

"Retaining this reputation, the army will have to take themselves towards gradual development. The people of any part of the world would know Bangladesh Army as a symbol of peace and prosperity--it is my expectation," she said.

Sheikh Hasina noted that Bangladesh Army always stood beside the distressed people during all natural disasters and bad time of the country.

The Prime Minister said that the officers of Bangladesh Army are an integral part of the people of the country. "You all are an equal partner of weal and woes and laughing and crying of the mass people," she said.

Besides, she said, this force have demonstrated outstanding efficiency and performance in establishing peace in the remote Chittagong Hill Tracts, construction of road, flyovers and infrastructure, removing water logging and traffic jam, implementation of Hatirjheel Project and preparing voter list and machine readable passports.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh Armed Forces were born through a bloody War of Liberation. "And Bangladesh Army which is rejuvenated with the spirit of Great War of Liberation is a pride of all," she said.

"Today is a very joyful and important day in your life as you are going to enter into the greater working life as a proud officer of Bangladesh Army," she said.

Spelling out her government's various initiatives for modernizing the armed forces and making it time-befitting, Sheikh Hasina said her government during 1996-2001 tenure established the National Defence College, Military Institute of Science and Technology, Armed Forces Medical College, Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training, NCO’s Academy, Bangladesh Infantry Regimental Centre and Trust Bank.

Highlighting her government’s steps for turning Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA) into a most modern and international standard academy, the Prime Minister said the government has constructed Bangabandhu Complex in the academy.

The Prime Minister said necessary steps have been undertaken for development of Bangladesh Navy and Air Force like Bangladesh Army.

Congratulating the newly-commissioned officers of Bangladesh Army, the Prime Minister wished continued development of Bangladesh Army and BMA.

Illustrating her government's success in different fields like agriculture, education, communication, infrastructure development, women empowerment, rural development and ICT, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is advancing in every field and the country is now a role model of development.

Earlier, the Prime Minister reviewed the smartly turned out parade riding on an open jeep and took salute at the impressive march past. She also distributed the awards to the outstanding cadets.

Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan and BMA Commandant Md Jahangir Kabir Talukder accompanied the Prime Minister.

Ministers, advisers, parliament members, diplomats and high civil and military officials were also present there.

Earlier, on her arrival at the BMA Parade Ground, the Prime Minister was received by Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Army Training and Doctrine Command Lieutenant General Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy, GOC, 24 Infantry Division and Area Commander, Chittagong Area, Major General Sabbir Ahmed and BMA Commandant Major General Md Jahangir Kabir Talukder.

BDST: 1739 HRS, DEC 24, 2014