Awami League Has to Move Forward With New Challenges

Sheikh Hasina said, “I dedicate myself to people, we come to give not to take. Today we are moving fast after overcoming all the problems. There were obstacles in between, the Corona pandemic, and then the Russia-Ukraine war started. We don't want war, we don't want sanctions. All countries are independent. They have the right to move freely. All countries should have this right. War harms people, we know the horrors of war. ' Despite the global challenges, the current per capita income of Bangladesh is 2765 US dollars. As Bangladesh celebrates its golden jubilee of independence, the country has been elevated to advanced status. Awami League and its affiliated organizations stand by the people in any disaster. Because this is Awami League and this is the teaching of Awami League. The government led by Awami League president Sheikh Hasina has completed 15 years of three consecutive terms. At this time, the success and achievements of the government are not less. Awami League president Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the country's liberation war. Awami League celebrated 50 years of independence of the country while in power and Bangabandhu's birth centenary is celebrated as Mujib Barsha. Opponents of the government have been constantly complaining about the lack of democracy in the country. On the other hand, there is no question about the incredible development of the country.

Facing the challenge of maintaining political stability in Bangladesh during the global crisis and managing the country very well. After an incredible victory in the 11th National Parliament elections, she came to power for the third time in a row and formed a new government with a bunch of new faces. The 12th National Parliament Election will be held in 2024 as per the schedule of the Election Commission. The people of the country must sit down to compare their achievements. What did Bangladesh get in Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule? Elevated expressway inaugurated. The Bangabandhu Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram has been inaugurated. Bangladesh has also declared its position in space. Bangabandhu's satellite launch added a new dimension to our science and technology. The enclave exchange agreement between these two countries has changed the map of Bangladesh and India. Inauguration of Metrorail and Padma Bridge are both development milestones. Successfully combating the coronavirus pandemic, education, communication infrastructure, gas, electricity, women's education, 100% increase in salary of employees, health care, achieving self-sufficiency in food production, support of backward communities, helpless, elderly, widows, person with disabilities, divorced women under social safety net programs. Awami League government led by the Prime Minister has played a major role in the overall development of various sectors, including autism, providing support to poor freedom fighters, shelter projects, one house and one farm projects, and women empowerment.

The role of electricity in the development of a country is undeniable. Increasing power generation to 25,000 megawatts and almost 100 percent electrification, bringing record amounts of remittances to the country, reducing poverty rate, raising average life expectancy to about 73 years, formulating national education policy, increasing literacy rate to 75.6 percent, free new books in the hands of students on the first day of the year. Distribution of books, mainstreaming and recognizing Madrasa education, setting up medical universities and modernizing the medical system, initiatives to establish universities in every district, formulating women's policy and empowering women, building digital Bangladesh, and achieving a revolution in the ICT sector, making Bangladesh the top in South Asia with outstanding success in combating the corona pandemic and 5th in the world.
Instances of a party coming to power for a third consecutive term are rare in the world. Awami League has promised to take Bangladesh forward on the path of prosperity. A new wave of economic and infrastructural development has emerged in the last 15 years. Undoubtedly, the support of young voters played a major role in the absolute victory of the Awami League-led Grand Alliance in the 11th National Assembly elections. According to the information from the election manifesto prepared by the Awami League for the 11th National Assembly elections, about one-third of the total population of the country is youth. Now there are organizations for this huge working population.

It will be difficult to strike a balance without creating employment pathways based on the skills and qualifications of the youth. Highly educated and highly skilled youth should think about job creation abroad. The quality of engineering, science, technology, and agriculture education needs to be made more dynamic and timelier to develop quality and skilled human resources to compete in the global market. At the same time 'Skill Development Center' should be set up for general university students. Last year, the eighth five-year plan for the period 2021-25 was approved the estimated cost of implementation of was estimated at 64 lakh 95 thousand 980 crores. At this time, a target of 1 crore 16 lakh 70 thousand employment has been set. After the implementation of the eighth five-year plan, the poverty rate will come down to 15.6 percent and the extreme poverty rate will come down to 7.4 percent. Last year, the GDP growth rate in 2025 will be 8.51 percent. The world today is full of praise for Bangladesh due to its enviable progress. 

Bangladesh is called the role model of development. Bangladesh is progressing in various global indices. In some indicators, it occupies the top position in South Asia. Bangladesh will be the 28th largest economy in the world in 2030. Bangladesh ranks 35th among the world's largest economies in 2023. Naturally, the people of the country will get positive results by comparing the accounts of three consecutive terms including these four years. The leaders and workers of the party should move forward with new challenges, and make the party more modern and stronger in the next elections. However, the people will say how much the Awami League has been able to fulfill the expectations of the people. But let the relentless effort go on. May everyone's hopes move forward, and may Bangabandhu's dream of Sonar Bangla be established.

 
Hiren Pandit is a columnist
and a researcher.