The Prime Minister joined the meeting, held at Army Multipurpose Complex, virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. 

PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

Hasina said she is happy to know that TRACE (Tabulated Record and Comparative Evaluation) Method is followed in the case of promotion of Army officers, which is a manifestation of a comparative assessment of various aspects of their professionalism.

“Right persons will have to be promoted for various important appointments such as command, staff and trainers.  This will increase the acceptance to all,” she said.

The PM said the Awami League government always governs the country as the servant of people, never as a ruler.  A disciplined and modern army plays a very helpful role in consolidating democracy, she said.

“That’s why its leadership must be entrusted to professional and responsible officers who are always ready for supreme sacrifices to protect the sovereignty [of the country], being imbued with the ideology of the great Liberation War,” she added.

“Discipline is the backbone of the Army.  At the same time, it’s necessary to find honest, fair-minded, righteous, people-friendly and humane officers who are successful in various fields of their career,” she added. 

Hasina said Bangladesh Army had started its progress due to the sincere efforts of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In the continuation of the progress journey, the army has now become a highly professional, efficient and modern force due to intensive care from her government, she said.

“Our army has been working very efficiently in various development and public welfare activities, including containing the recent Corona pandemic, which is really commendable.  Not only in the country, our Army has brought a rare honour and dignity to the country from the world stage,” she said.

Chief of Army Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed delivered the welcome speech at the virtual function.