For a 'beautiful life': PM pledges development for a better Dhaka

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina day said the government is dedicated to transforming Dhaka into a city that ensures a high quality of life for its residents.

"The people of this area (Old Dhaka) will benefit and can live a beautiful life. We are working toward this goal," she said during a programme inaugurating several development projects in Old Dhaka.

The projects include the construction of a new 10-storey Bangabazar Nagar Wholesale Market. The original market was destroyed by a devastating fire on 4 April last year.

The other projects are eight-lane Bir Muktijoddha Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani Saroni from Postogola Bridge to Rayerbazar Sluice Gate, Nazrul Sarabor at Dhanmondi Lake and modernisation of the Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy Children Park.

At the programme, Sheikh Hasina highlighted the government's initiatives to improve connectivity between Dhaka and other districts.

"We want to build a ring road in Dhaka to facilitate easier inter-district communication," she said, acknowledging the previous lack of significant road infrastructure in the eastern and western parts of Dhaka.

"The government has already built a metro rail, expressway, and many other roads, with several more metro rail projects under construction to ease road communication," she added.

She noted that the division of Dhaka into North and South aimed to provide better services to the people.

"For the betterment of the city dwellers, the government has relocated the Dhaka Central Jail to Keraniganj," she said. In its place, a museum, a school, and a children's park have been built. There are also plans to construct an amusement park there, she said.

The prime minister mentioned the government's allocation of land to build a modern campus for Jagannath University. "We have already prepared the design for Jagannath University, and the work in this regard will be completed quickly."

Sheikh Hasina called upon Dhaka city residents to do their part in maintaining a beautiful and healthy environment. She urged everyone to keep their homes and surrounding areas clean to prevent waterlogging and the breeding of mosquitoes.

Temple in Nepal on behalf of Bangladesh

At a separate event day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Nepal will build a temple on behalf of Bangladesh at the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha.

"They will build a Buddha temple in Nepal on our behalf because we want to have a symbol of Bangladesh at the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha," she said while exchanging pleasantries at the Ganabhaban with religious leaders and eminent personalities of the Buddhist community on the occasion of Buddha Purnima.

She mentioned that the government has an agreement with Nepal's Lumbini Development Trust under which this project will go forth.

The premier reiterated that the Awami League government is dedicated to the socioeconomic development of all citizens, regardless of their religion.

"I want to make one thing clear: we aim to build up our country without considering religion or caste. We work for the people and their socioeconomic upliftment," she said.

Sheikh Hasina emphasised her government's commitment to progress and unity. 

"We want to move the country forward. In Bangladesh, people of different religions have always lived together. I believe we have set an example for the world in developing Bangladesh with a harmonious spirit."

Apart from the development of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the government also works for the development of the Buddhist people in the other parts of the country, she said.

In this connection, she said there is a separate fund at the Prime Minister's Office, and from there special assistance is given to people of other religious faiths not only for religious activities but also for other cultural activities and development as well.

The birthplace of Lord Buddha in Lumbini, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, is the abode of peace and an ultimate pilgrimage for Buddhist devotees and peace lovers from around the world.

Lord Buddha was born here in 623 BC and preached the universal message of peace and compassion; therefore, it is regarded as one of the most sacred places for people who believe in Buddhism.