A Correspondent:
Chandpur: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday called upon the country’s people to take a vow to rebuild the country.
“From yesterday, our only task should be nation-building and rebuilding the state. Let this be our pledge,” he said.
“We have one goal and one purpose. We do not just want to dream. We want to make plans. We want to adopt plans that will move the country forward and change the people’s fate,” the premier added.
Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, made the remarks while addressing a public rally yesterday afternoon after inaugurating the re-excavation program of Khorddo Canal at Waruk Bazar area of Tamta Dakshin Union in Shahrasti Upazila in the district.
As the Prime Minister stepped onto the stage beside the canal to address the rally, thousands of leaders, activists, and supporters standing on both sides of the canal welcomed him with loud slogans and ap-plause.
Referring to the canal excavation initiative, Tarique Rahman said, “Forty-eight years ago, Shaheed Pres-ident Ziaur Rahman initiated this canal excavation program. Today, let us all make a pledge to move the country forward.”
Quoting from the Holy Quran, he said, “Allah says that He helps those who help themselves. If we don’t excavate this (Khorddo) canal, how will our farmers get water? They will not. Through the canal exca-vation, farmers will benefit”.
“In the same way, if all of us work together, if the 40 crore hands of Bangladesh’s 20 crore people work together, InShaAllah, we will be able to transform Bangladesh into a dignified nation in the world,” the premier continued.
Later, the Prime Minister inaugurated the re-excavation work by cutting soil with a spade. He planted saplings on the bank of the canal.
Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, local lawmaker Mominul Haque, Chandpur BNP General Secretary Advocate Salim Ullah Selim, Shahrasti Upazila BNP President Ayat Ali Bhuiyan and Vice President Abu Yusuf Rupam were present on the occasion.
Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman excavated this Khorddo Canal in 1978. After 48 years, the canal is now being re-excavated by his son Tarique Rahman.
