BARISHAL : Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today sought cooperation from the countrymen to keep Bangladesh clean.

"We all must work together if we want to make our country beautiful, safe, and livable," he said. 

The premier added: "If we do not keep our own homes clean and if we ourselves do not keep our country clean, then the country will never remain clean. Nobody from outside will come and clean our country for us. We all must work together if we want to make our country beautiful."

Tarique Rahman, also BNP chairman, made the remarks while addressing the local villagers after inaugurating a tree plantation programme on the bank of the Sarikal–Batajor Canal in Gournadi upazila here this morning. 

He said, "I would like to request the people of the entire country—let us all try not to throw garbage here and there. Let us not throw away empty water bottles or anything carelessly after using them."

"When we carry something in a packet and no longer need the packet, we often throw it away anywhere. This harms the environment. If the environment is damaged, our children will suffer in the future," the Prime Minister added.

Referring to his personal habit of carrying used tissues in his pocket, he said, "If you check my pocket now, you will find a tissue there. I used it a little while ago after washing my hands, and I kept it in my pocket. If I threw it here, then I would not be following what I am asking you to do. That is why I developed the habit from childhood of keeping used tissues in my pocket. If you check any of my pant's pockets, you will find used tissues."

"The tissues accumulate in my pocket throughout the day. At night, when I return home, I throw them into a dustbin or wherever garbage is supposed to be disposed of. I have consciously tried to build this habit, and gradually I have succeeded," the premier added. 

Tarique Rahman said, "If we all begin practicing this habit from today, we will be able to build a clean and beautiful country. Our environment will improve. Everyone will appreciate our country. Not only our own people but also visitors from abroad will say that Bangladesh is a clean and beautiful country where people take care of their surroundings."
 

Drawing attention to two plastic bottles floating in the Sarikal–Batajor Canal, the Prime Minister said, "Look, there are plastic bottles floating in the canal. If there are five or seven people in a household and only one person cleans the house while the others keep making it dirty all day, is it possible to keep that house clean?” 

He said, “The country is just like our home. If only a few people clean while everyone else continues to litter, it will not be possible to keep clean. We all have to work together to keep the country clean. Garbage must be disposed of only where it belongs."

The Premier added, "If we throw waste everywhere, not only does it look unpleasant, but it also pollutes the environment. When you travel by bus to Barishal town or to Dhaka, you can see markets and shops surrounded by piles of garbage. Does anyone like to see garbage?”

Photo: PMO

“It makes the environment dirty, looks unpleasant, and causes pollution. This pollution also harms our health. So let us all work together to make our country beautiful," he continued. 

Calling upon everyone to contribute to building a healthy and beautiful country for future generations, Tarique Rahman said, "On this tree plantation day, let us all pledge that, from our respective positions, each of us will do whatever we can to take care of our surroundings. We will try to protect and keep clean our homes, roads, and neighbourhoods as much as possible."

Information and Broadcasting Minister and lawmaker from Barishal-1 constituency Zahir Uddin Swapon was present on the occasion.