Shawdesh Desk:

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday called upon the members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard to be ‘true friend’ of the coastal people by establishing guardianship at the sea.

‘The motto of the force is “Guardian at Sea” which means to establish yourself as true friend of the coastal people,’ she said while addressing 28th founding anniversary function of the BCG and the BCG Day-2023 at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Sher-e-Banglanagar area in Dhaka.

The PM highly praised the Coast Guard personnel as they are standing beside the innocent and helpless people in the coastal belts by warding off many criminal acts.

She said that her government had been working to transform the Coast Guard into a modern and up-to-date force with knowledge of information technology.

‘We want our Coast Guard to be built as a developed and powerful force with knowledge of modern information technology,’ she said.

The prime minister said that her government had launched Bangabandhu Satellite-1 to orbit, adding that a groundbreaking change has been made in the coast guard’s communication system by establishing its connection with the satellite.

‘We can ensure our security using the digital system, (with establishing the satellite connection),’ she said.

The prime minister also unveiled a newly constructed establishment of the BCG at Lakshimpur by pressing a button.

Home minister Asaduzzaman Khan and BCG director general Rear Admiral Ashraful Hoq Chowdhury were present at the function.

At the ceremony, the prime minister handed over Bangladesh Coast Guard medals to several BCG personnel including its director general in recognition of their glorious contribution to the force as well.

At the outset of the programme, a smartly turned out contingent of the Bangladesh Coast Guard also gave a state-salute to the premier.

A short video documentary on Coast Guard’s activities was screened.