Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Navy to be developed as 3-dimensional force: PM
Navy to be developed as 3-dimensional force: PM
Sheikh HasinaBSS, Chittagong
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday unveiled her government's plan to add a submarine and two maritime helicopters to Bangladesh Navy in near future to build it as a three-dimensional and effective force.
"Inclusion of the submarine in the Naval force in near future is in our active consideration, while the helicopters would be added to the force by the mid of next year," she said while addressing the winter passing out parade of Midshipmen 2009/A Batch at Bangladesh Naval Academy at Patenga of Chittagong.
A total of 34 midshipmen of Bangladesh Navy and four midshipmen of friendly country Palestine were commissioned at the function.
The prime minister reviewed the smartly turned-out parade and took salute at the impressive march past standing on a tastefully decorated podium.
Hasina also said it would be possible to make the 'Naval Aviation' division of Bangladesh Navy time-befitting through inclusion of the maritime helicopters in the naval force.
Besides, she said, five patrol crafts are being built at Khulna Shipyard for Bangladesh Navy by using local technology that would open up a prospective era for Bangladesh.
The prime minister said the matter of procuring two helicopters for BNS Bangabandhu as planned in 2001 was under process, but the BNP-Jamaat government suspended the project. Not only that, she said, the BNP-Jamaat government decommissioned the BNS Bangabandhu, a modern frigate built by South Korea, as part of its petty political interest.
Reminding the responsibilities of Bangladesh Navy, she said the huge maritime boundary is an integral part of the country's national existence as 90 percent of international trade depends on marine routes. So, she said, it is the prime duty of naval force to keep absolute control over our huge maritime boundary as well as ensuring security for collecting marine resources.
The prime minister described the graduating cadets as the future sailors of the glorious naval force and asked them to give national interest above their personal interest.
"You have to work shoulder to shoulder with the members of Bangladesh Army and Air Force to ensure security of the country along with working to face natural calamities", she told the newly commissioned officers.
Hasina said the firm steps of naval force to protect national security, ensuring security for collecting resources, curbing smuggling and conducting drive against illegal fishing have earned huge acclamation from the countrymen in the recent years.
She lauded the role of Bangladesh Navy in conducting rescue operation during the devastating cyclone Aila and implementing various projects in post-Aila period. She said the participation of naval frigate "Osman" and patrol craft "Modhumoti" in the UN-sponsored peace mission has enhanced the country's image abroad.
The prime minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has procured four patrol crafts from abroad as he decided to build a modern naval force considering our huge maritime zones and geopolitical need.
She said as part of his vision, Bangabandhu had set up three naval bases-- BNS Isha Khan, Hazi Mohsin and Titumir--on December 10, 1974 and enacted the Territorial Water's and Maritime Zones Act in 1974 much before promulgation of UN Convention on the Laws on the Sea-1982.
But, Hasina said, the progress of Bangladesh Navy came to a standstill after the brutal assassination of Father of the Nation on August 15, 1975.
Listing various programmes of her previous government for modernizing the Navy, she said three naval ships---Titas, Kushiara and Barkat---were commissioned during the period when the modern LPC "Modhumoti" was constructed in Korea in 1998 and BNS "Shoibal" was turned into a modern survey ship.
Apart from this, she said her previous government established Hydrographic and Oceanographic Centre of Bangladesh Navy and took steps for providing modern training to the naval force.
She said the main objective of her government is to bring welfare for the commoners and asked all, especially the naval force, to supplement the government efforts to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty.
Later, the prime minister gave away trophies among the best midshipmen for their excellent performance in academic and professional subjects during the training period.
Nahiyan Baker Milky was adjudged as the best all-round midshipman and awarded with the coveted 'Sword of Honour'. He also received the 'CNS Medal' for his outstanding results in professional subjects, while Midshipman Zia Noor Nabi received the 'Osmany Gold Medal' for his outstanding results in academic service.
Hasina adorned with the rank badge of Acting Sub-Lieutenant to the best all-round Midshipman Nahiyan Baker Milky.
Later, the prime minister laid the foundation stone of Bangabandhu Complex of Bangladesh Naval Academy.
Industries Minister Dilip Barua, Primary and Mass Education Minister Afsarul Amin, PM's Defence Adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddiqui, parliament members, diplomats, chiefs of the three services and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion.
