The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Bhatiari

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed Wednesday urged the newly commissioned officers of the Armed Forces to uphold Bangladesh's image in the world as a promising, developing and peace-loving country and its internationally-acclaimed role in protecting peace and security across the world.

The head of the caretaker government gave the call while addressing the combined President's Parade at the Bangladesh Military Academy Parade ground here in the morning to mark the passing out of cadets of army, navy and air force.

Cadets of 59 BMA Long Course, 30 BMA Special Course, Midshipman 2007-Alfa Batch, 58 Flight Cadet Course and Sri Lankan Special Course-4 formally received commission through the President's Combined Parade.

A total of 182 cadets, including 30 women, have been commissioned in the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Of them, 133 cadets are from army, 22 midshipmen from navy and 27 flight cadets from air force.

Besides, 87 cadets who completed Sri Lankan Special Course-4 also took part in the parade.

The Chief Adviser handed over the coveted sword of honour to battalion senior under officer Mohammad Zunaeed Uddin Shah Chowdhury as best all-round cadet in the 59 BMA Long Course in army, sword of honour to midshipman Mehedi Hasan for best performance in all subjects in navy, and sword of honour to flight cadet wing under officer Mohammad Saifur Rahman for best performance in all subjects in air force.

The parade included a guard of honour by outgoing and current cadets of army, navy and air force to the Chief Adviser.

The Chief Adviser on board a decorated open jeep, flanked by commanders of Bangladesh Military Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy, reviewed the parade.

An impressive mark past of the parade gave salute to the Chief Adviser who took salute from the parade from a decorated podium, flanked by Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed, Naval Chief Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam and Air Force chief Air Marshall SM Ziaur Rahman.

Earlier, chiefs of the three services of the Armed Forces received the Chief Adviser at the BMA parade ground.

Chief Adviser's wife Neena Ahmed, diplomats, senior military and civil officials, local elite and guardians of newly commissioned officers of Armed Forces were present at the event.

Addressing the parade, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed also urged the newly commissioned military officers to always remain ready to carry out their responsibilities of protecting the great independence and sovereignty of the motherland.

"The first and main objective of your life will be to safeguard the country's independence, sovereignty and national flag even at the cost of last drop of blood," he told the male and female officers.

He said each of the three academies-Bangladesh Military Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy-today reached a glorious position in their respective areas and through gradually crossing the path of progress.

Fakhruddin said it is not only the country's students who are getting training side by side as a mark of international amity and brotherhood, many friendly states have also been sending cadets for training in the country's academies.

So, military academies have been turned into a unique symbol of country's national dignity, he added.

Terming the day as very important for the newly commissioned officers, the Chief Adviser said they are going to enter today as proud officers of Bangladesh Armed Forces through commissioning after hard training for long days. "This day is important for you because you were being bestowed with the sacred responsibility of protecting the country's independence and sovereignty."

He advised the newly commissioned officers to remember that members of the Armed Forces are an inseparable part of the people of the country… "So, all of you are the equal partners of joys and sorrows of mass people of the country," he said.

Fakhruddin mentioned the exemplary role of the armed forces during all natural calamities and in hours of need of the country. He also mentioned their glorious role in aid of the civil administration.

He said: "Peace is prevailing today in the Chittagong Hill Tracts due to sacrifice and courageous role of the members of the Armed Forces. Trend of development continues in the region."

He said Bangladesh Armed Forces is vanguard of country's independence and sovereignty. The proud and efficient Armed Forces of the country was born through the bloody liberation war. The unique contribution of patriotic Armed Forces in the independence war will be kept written in golden letters for ever in the national history.

The Chief Adviser recalled with respect those fearless and heroic soldiers who embraced martyrdom in the independence war and prayed for the salvation of the departed souls.

He said the importance and necessity of Armed Forces are immense in an independent and sovereign country, and considering its importance, country's military academies were established after independence with the objective to build up ideal and skilled armed forces.