The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday called for attaching top priority to eradicating poverty to ensure safe growth of children and build a prosperous nation.

"We know, yesterday's children are the helmsmen of the nation in the days to come. It is undeniable that poverty and malnutrition are the key-hindrances on the way towards evolving the country's children. So, we have to put highest degree of priority to eradicating poverty to build a prosperous nation," he said.

The President said this while addressing at the golden jubilee celebration of Bangladesh Shishu Kallyan Parisad (BSKP) at Osmani Memorial auditorium here yesterday morning.

Primary and Mass Education and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Rasheda K. Choudhury addressed the function as special guest.

Chairman of Best Aviation M Haider Uzzaman, President of BSKP Shah Mohammad Alamgir and general secretary Nurul Karim Chowdhury Jinnah also spoke on the occasion.

Military Secretary to the President Major General Mohd Aminul Karim, Secretary Md Sirajul Islam and Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader were also present. The President said a large section of people of the society are not being able to get out of the circle of malnutrition because of poverty. Not only the children, but their mothers have also been suffering badly from malnutrition, he added.

"Now, we have to undertake all possible measures towards exploring the unlimited potentials of our children and ensure friendly environment for their smooth growing," he added.

Underscoring the need for involving the children into creative activities side by side of providing them with education for total unfolding of the children, Professor Iajuddin said adding "We have to find out a way to undertake a comprehensive programme, so that both the children from urban and rural areas could get equal opportunity to grow up."

Describing the ideal citizen as the precious wealth of the nation, the President said humane qualities like patriotism, fraternity, patience, benevolence and respect to others have to be evolved in the minds of the children so that they could be grown as responsible citizen from their childhood.

He hoped that that all conscious people of the society including guardians, teachers would come forward to ensure welfare of the children.

He also urged the wealthier section of the society and different organisations to come forward to ensure welfare of the children.

Referring to the various steps, the government has undertaken to the development and welfare of the children, he said the government is working relentlessly to implement the UN charter on child rights.

Professor Iajuddin also laid emphasis on cooperation from the people and non-government organisations side by side with the government in checking children from engaging in hazardous labour.

He said the role of family is very important in developing the children as they grow up in a family and learn moral values from the members of their family.

He also called upon the children to involve in creative activities, learn social values, reflect those in all sphere of their life and develop themselves as skilled and worthy citizens.

Later, President Iajudin enjoyed colourful cultural programme performed by the members of BSKP.