Shawdesh desk:

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she considered the people’s power as her supreme strength that had driven her to construct the much-hyped Padma Bridge, promising to work for welfare of the nation alongside giving an improved life to the next generation even by risking her life.

“Many knowledgeable and intelligent personalities of the country had said the construction of Padma Bridge was impossible with own finance. How have we built the Padma Bridge with self-finance? I have done it as you, the people of Bangladesh have supported me and you stand beside me. And I believe that the power of the people is the supreme strength,” she said.

She was addressing a mammoth gathering of around 10 lakh people who waited for hours to welcome and listen to their leader and architect of the Padma Bridge at Kathalbari under Shibchar Upazila of Madaripur district.

Before joining rally, the Prime Minister formally opened the Padma Bridge, the dream of millions, at Mawa, Munshiganj end by unveiling the inaugural plaque and mural-1. She later unveiled another plaque and mural-2 at Jajira, Shariatpur point.

At the rally, her first public appearance in the south-western part of the country since late 2018, Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League said that she would work for the development of the people of the country and ensure an improved and prosperous life for the next generation.

“My only target is to ensure improved life for the next generation. Today, we have managed food, power and accommodation for the homeless and landless people and made Bangladesh digitised. I will ensure more improved life for our children. Today, this is my promise to you all,” she said.

The Prime Minister said she has got affection and love of father, mother and brothers after losing them, adding, “I am beside you to establish your rights, to change your fate and I am ready to make any sacrifice in doing so. And I will give up my life for you if required.”

Road Transport and Bridges Minister and Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, MP, Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak, and Chief Whip and local lawmaker Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury Liton spoke at the rally.

The AL’s Organising Secretary Mirza Azam, MP, and Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, MP, moderated the rally.

Daughter of the Prime Minister and Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Autism and Neurodevelopment Disorders Saima Wazed was present on the stage.

Prime Minister reached the venue around 12.50pm when thousands of people, especially leaders and workers of AL of 21 districts, reverberated slogans like ‘Joy Bangla’, ‘Joy Bangabandhu’.

The primer responded to the audience by waving her hand. Colorful papers were spread from helicopters in the venue and the people also cheered by chanting slogans.

Men wearing colorful t-shirts and women wearing colorful share and bearing large portraits of Bangabandhu and Sheikh Hasina, placards, festoons and banners came to the rally.

The venue and its adjacent areas were decorated with festoons, placards, digital banners. Large screens were installed at different corners of the rally to broadcast the rally proceedings.

A large spectacular stage was built in the style of Padma Bridge at the rally venue and a huge boat was floating on the water right in front of the stage.