Protecting democracy is now the main task: President

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has remarked that protecting democracy is now the main task. He said we have regained democracy by ousting the fascist government at the cost of many sacrifices and lives. Now the opportunity has come to give democracy an institutional form. Protecting this democracy is now the main task.

The President said this in his speech at the civic reception organised by Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) on the premises of Nagar Bhaban on Tuesday afternoon (September 15).

Calling on the government and the opposition to work together to protect democracy, the President said the parliament must be made effective. There will be differences of opinion on various issues. However, consensus must be reached on the fundamental issues.

He said, “The future struggle is to rebuild the country, strengthen democracy and gift a prosperous country to the next generation.”

The President said, “This country has stumbled many times. Today the opportunity to build the country has come again. We must not lose this opportunity. We have to stand on our own feet.”

Mentioning that people of various ethnic groups live in Sylhet, he said there is no communal harmony like Bangladesh’s anywhere else.

Highlighting his relationship with Sylhet, the President said, “Sylhet is a very dear place to me. Whenever I get the opportunity I come to Sylhet. Whenever I have come to Sylhet I have received your warm hospitality. You stood by us even in our extreme difficult times.”

He said, “I was with the people of Sylhet in the past and will remain in the future as well. InshaAllah, the people of Sylhet will lead the country in the future.”

At the beginning of his speech as the honoured guest the President said, “I cannot speak with you in the way I used to as a political activist before. Because I have taken an oath that I will work and speak in a completely non-partisan manner.”

Praising the history, heritage and culture of Sylhet he said, “Sylhet itself is a very proud place. Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shahparan (R) are resting here. The memory of Sri Chaitanya Deb is also in Sylhet.”

He further said, “Here gifted persons like Hasan Raja, Radharaman Dutta, Shitalang Shah, Shah Abdul Karim and Hemanga Biswas were born. Leaders like MAG Osmani, Saifur Rahman, MA Khan and Iliyas Ali were also born here.”

Mentioning Sylhet’s own culture and tea industry the President said, “Sylhet has a distinct culture. Sylhet’s tea gardens have fame all over the world. The expatriates of Sylhet are making a big contribution to the country’s economy. The people of Sylhet are peace-loving and protest-oriented at the same time.”

Calling on the expatriates to invest in the country he said there are many possibilities of investment in Sylhet. There is also opportunity to build industries here.

Under the chairmanship of SCC Administrator Abdul Kaiyum Chowdhury, further speeches were given at the reception programme by Minister for Textiles and Jute, Industries and Commerce Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Minister for Labour and Employment, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ariful Haque Chowdhury and Whip of the Jatiya Sangsad GK Gouch among others.

The President’s wife Rahat Ara Begum was present on the stage of the programme.

At the reception various gifts including Sylhet’s traditional Shital Pati, a replica of a tea plant, a citation and high-quality tea leaves were presented to the President on behalf of SCC. Various gifts including a Manipuri saree were given to the President’s wife Rahat Ara Begum.

After the speech session a cultural programme was organised with performances by local artists.

Earlier the President arrived in Sylhet by air on Tuesday morning. In the afternoon he visited the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) and Hazrat Shahparan (R).

This is the first visit of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir to Sylhet after assuming office as the 23rd President of the country, it has been informed.

A smart contingent of police presented a guard of honour to the President at Sylhet Circuit House. Alongside, leaders and activists of city BNP standing on both sides of various important roads of the city welcomed the President.

However, city BNP boycotted the civic reception programme raising allegations of not giving proper evaluation.

After the civic reception the President is scheduled to leave Sylhet for Dhaka by air at 8pm.