DHAKA : Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called upon
the country’s youth to join hands in rebuilding the state and combating dengue,
saying their collective strength and determination can bring about meaningful
change in the country.
“If such a large youth population of a country wants to
change the country, it is possible. Our young generation showed the world on
August 5, 2024 that they can bring change. The youth started the change from
there,” he said.
The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating a three-month
nationwide dengue prevention and cleanliness campaign at the South Plaza of
Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban this morning.
Urging the young generation to contribute to
state-building efforts, Tarique said, “I urge them to come forward and rebuild
the state and the country. Let us try to solve the dengue problem over the next
three months. We may not be able to achieve 100 percent, but we can achieve at
least 80 percent.”
He urged members of the Bangladesh Scouts, BNCC, Girl
Guides, volunteers and students to work together with a common goal of building
the country.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh has around 23 lakh
Scouts and 22,000 BNCC members, while the number of students from high schools,
madrassas, colleges and universities is around 1.5 crore. Including primary
schools and madrassas, the total number of students is around 2.5 crore.
“Today, almost all the districts are connected here
online. I want your help- Girl Guides, BNCC, Scouts, volunteers and all of you.
We have to build this country. We have gathered here today with one goal- the
goal of building the country,” he said. Explaining the importance of public
participation in dengue prevention, the Prime Minister said Aedes mosquitoes
breed in stagnant water accumulated in discarded papers, plastic items and
other objects.
“If we all make a collective effort, we can change this
situation,” he said.
Tarique Rahman urged people to become more conscious about
cleanliness, saying that even a small piece of waste discarded casually can
gradually accumulate into garbage and create an environment conducive to spread
of the diseases.
“So, let us keep ourselves healthy, keep our families
healthy, keep our society healthy and try to keep our country healthy. This
work is not very difficult,” he said.
Tarique Rahman said people might have to make some effort
initially, but spending just one hour every week cleaning their homes, schools,
colleges or institutions could bring about rapid change.
The Prime Minister also called upon people to discourage
those who throw waste indiscriminately in public places and raise awareness
among them.
“So, the message is one: work, work and work. And
cleanliness, cleanliness and cleanliness must be our main goal for the days
ahead,” he said.
The three-month campaign, which began today, will continue
until December 12 across the country. It aims to raise public awareness about
dengue prevention, destroy Aedes mosquito breeding grounds, strengthen
cleanliness activities and strengthen coordination among government, private
and social initiatives.
Alongside Dhaka-focused activities, awareness and
cleanliness drives are being conducted simultaneously at district and upazila
levels nationwide.
Convener of the Nationwide Dengue Prevention and
Cleanliness Campaign Implementation Committee and Dhaka South City Corporation
Administrator Bir Muktijoddha Abdus Salam delivered the welcome address at the
inaugural programme.
LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan,
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, Information and
Broadcasting Minister Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho, State Minister for
Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit, and State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives
Mir Shahe Alam also addressed the programme.
Ministers, state ministers, advisers, senior officials of
Prime Minister’s Office and different ministries and departments, NGOs, DSCC,
DNCC, cleaners, students, members of various voluntary organisations and
journalists were present.
Officials of district and upazila administrations from
across the country also joined the inaugural programme online.
