TDS Desk:

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said on Wednesday that transforming Bangladesh and improving the lives of its people remain the government’s foremost objectives.

“No citizen of the country will be left behind. We are working to ensure that the benefits of development reach people from all walks of life,” he said while addressing a public rally and Family Card distribution ceremony at the Victoria High School ground in Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar as the chief guest.

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Despite inclement weather and continuous rainfall, more than 100,000 people from Kamalganj and Sreemangal upazilas attended the event. Crowds began gathering at the venue from the morning.

Tea garden workers, members of ethnic minority communities, women, men and youths from different professions welcomed the prime minister, turning the entire area into a sea of people.

The prime minister said various government initiatives, including social safety-net programmes, Family Card distribution, and measures focused on education, healthcare and employment, are playing an important role in improving people’s living standards.

“The government is working tirelessly to ensure the welfare of ordinary people, while giving the highest priority to the development of poor and marginalised communities,” he added.

During the programme, the prime minister distributed financial assistance of Tk200,000 each for the construction of houses for tea workers’ families, support for medical treatment of sick individuals, and grants for the education of persons with disabilities and underprivileged children.

After the speech, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman planted saplings of a jam (black plum) tree and a krishnachura (royal poinciana/flame tree) there.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor AZM Zahid Hossain chaired the programme while State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin, Convener of the Moulvibazar District BNP Faizul Karim Nayan, Member of Parliament for Moulvibazar-4 Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare Kamal Uddin Biswas, and among the women who received Family Cards, Shiuli Rani Das and Wajeda Begum also spoke.

After more than 20 years, this was the first time that Tarique Rahman came to Sreemangal.