The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Chittagong

Adviser for Agriculture and Water Resources Dr CS Karim on Monday morning called upon all to launch a war with renewed spirit to build a prosperous nation and march forward the country to a new height of progress.

Terming corruption as a stigma for the nation, the adviser said it holds back the progress and everybody should work together for combating the corruption.

The adviser as the chief guest was inaugurating the daylong programme series organised on the occasion of staying the Road Show "Esho Bangladesh Gori" at MA Aziz Stadium in the port city.

The Chittagong district administration organised the daylong carnival held amid much enthusiasm and festivity with the participation of all walks of people.

The Ministry of Home, Post and Telecommunications, the Election Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission have jointly organised the awareness campaign to motivate people to the nation-building activities. Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Mohammad Ashraf Shamim presided over the function while Chittagong Divisional Commissioner Hossain Jamil and CEO of Banglalink Mohammad Rashid Khan attended the inaugural function as special guests. The motorcade of the Road Show reached the port city from Comilla Sunday afternoon and would leave the city for Cox's Bazar on Tuesday morning.

Dr CS Karim said the country was able to produce 1.75 crore lakh tonnes of rice worth about Taka 50,000 crore in the last Boro season due to whole hearted cooperation from people, particularly the farmers.

He said the country harvested over 80 lakh tonnes of potatoes in the last season.

As the prices of essentials have increased globally, the adviser said it is the high time to change the traditional food habit and develop alternate one replacing rice as a staple food. Apart from producing more rice and potatoes, the government has been providing all-out support for the agriculture sector to increase production in the country to achieve food autarky. Dr CS Karim said, "We should stress much on educating our future generations with information technology (IT) as it can be one of the most potential sectors to alleviate poverty."

Over 20 stalls have been set up at the venue by various public and private sector organisations to display attractive products.

The stalls set up by six ministries have been decorated with colourful banners and festoons inscribed with various slogans like 'change your food habit', 'eat potato with rice', 'grow more food' and 'build terrorism and corruption-free Bangladesh'. Later, the adviser distributed prizes among the winners of essay and debate competitions.

Five eminent personalities called "Sada Moner Manush" also received crests from the adviser for their outstanding contributions to society.

The persons who are honoured are acting mayor of Chittagong City Corporation Alhaj Monjur Alam Monju, President of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Monwara Hakim Ali, industrialists M A Salam and Mohammad Shahjahan, and social worker Ehsanul Haider Babul.

Dr CS Karim also handed over potatoes among 20 destitute people.