B'desh striving to address poverty, terrorism: Hasina

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government was striving to rid the country of poverty and terrorism, besides protecting the youth from the menace of drug abuse.

Speaking at the convocation of the Kazi Nazrul University here, which conferred an honorary D.Litt on her today, Hasina said poverty was the main enemy and a barrier to development not only in Bangladesh, but across the subcontinent.

"We have to alleviate poverty, prevent terrorism and protect the younger generation from drugs in Bangladesh and in the subcontinent to proceed in the right direction. We want to transform Bangladesh from a developing nation to a developed nation soon," she said, while expressing hope for a strong and everlasting Indo-Bangla friendship.

She also sought cooperation from all the countries in the subcontinent in putting an end to militant activities.

Stating that Bangladesh had frequently been hurt by armed coups, Hasina said, "Unlike India, which has a long-cherished tradition of democratic principles, we had suffered frequently from armed coups and that had slowed down the process of development. Since the Awami League came to power, we are fighting the issues of under-development, poverty and illiteracy."
Expressing gratitude to India for standing beside Bangladesh in the 1971 Liberation War, Hasina said, "We will never forget that you gave shelter to one crore refugees from Bangladesh then."