Park Lane Hotel, London: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that traveling the boat upstream is the duty of Awami League.

The party has traveled upstream in all levels, beginning from the independence movement of Bengalis to the war of liberation and journey will be continuing,’ she added.

While she was accorded reception in London on Sunday, the premier came up with the assertion. She was speaking about her government's efforts for the development of the country amid extreme adverse conditions.

She said, “We had to start from zero, coming to power in 1996, and 2009. Two previous governments run by BNP left the country vulnerable due to corruption and plunder. Not only that, when we had started the development work coming to power, they tried to stop it through violent movement.”

She also said amid the adverse conditions, her government has continued development activities terming it ‘running the boat towards upstream’.

Sheikh Hasina said, ‘Since inception Awami League has been running the boat upstream in all phases from the then movements of Bengalis to liberation war and the journey is still on.’

The United Kingdom unit AL president Sultan Sharif presided over the reception program at Ball Room  of Park Lane Hotel in Central London at 6pm local time.

Prominent journalist and writer Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury read out the citation in the reception ceremony moderated by General Secretary UK Unit AL Syed Farooq. The Awami League joint secretary of the UK Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury also delivered welcome speech.

Five British Members of the Parliament, including Bangabandhu’s granddaughter and also niece of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Tulip Siddique spoke on the occasion. Amongst other British MPs, three were from Labour party and another one from Conservative Party.

British MPs gave short speech at the program after receiving   a single bouquet and Bangabandhu autobiography as a gift from the Prime Minister. In their speech, they lauded the Prime Minister's leadership.

BDST: 1146 HRS, JUN5, 2015
RS/SMS