'Army a symbol of country's confidence and pride'

Staff Correspondent, Rajshahi: President M Abdul Hamid said that the Bangladesh army is a symbol of country's confidence and pride.

President Hamid said this while addressing the national standard conferment ceremony to Bangladesh army's "1 Para Commando Battalion" in Rajshahi Cantonment on Thursday noon.

The President said the military commandoes are specially regarded for their talent, discipline and braveness and commitment to sacrifice their lives for the country. Risking their lives, the armed forces have been working to uphold the sovereignty of the motherland, he said.

The President urged the armed forces to work for the welfare of the country and its people alongside safeguarding the national sovereignty.

He said the country needed competent, experienced and world-standard para commando units and expected the special unit like the 1 para commando brigade to play an important role at the time of emergency for the country and its people.

He said with their performance the unit gained worldwide appreciations.

At the outset of the speech, he paid rich tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, freedom fighters and all patriotic souls who made their supreme sacrifices during the 1971 Liberation War and different pro-democracy upheavals since 1952 Language Movement.

The President said the present government was firmly committed to build a modern, time-befitting and strong armed force which was demonstrated with the formulation of the Bangladesh Armed Forces Goal 2030.

"(But) there is no alternative to training in military life. Training makes people efficient and helps enhance professional skills," he said calling for continued training for military personnel in days to come.

Several ministers, senior political leaders, chiefs of the three services, some parliament members, Bogra area commander and secretaries concerned to the President, senior military and civil officials joined the ceremony.

risingbd/Rajshahi/Nov 2, 2017/Tanzimul Haque/Amirul