Tarique Rahman: The country's democratic journey has 'Brightened' Bangladesh's image in the world
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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to the United Nations has brightened Bangladesh's democratic journey in the global arena, his advisor Mahdi Amin has remarked.
He made this remark at a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon in the capital on Wednesday (September 30). The press conference was held to provide details of the Prime Minister's participation in the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In Mahdi Amin's words, "After a long time, the head of a government elected by the people's verdict has represented Bangladesh on the world stage. This was a huge and strong stride for democracy, and in every respect the Prime Minister has ensured that Bangladesh comes first.
"In the international arena, he has kept national interests intact, provided the greatest protection, and brightened Bangladesh's democratic journey before the world."
As Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman addressed the United Nations General Assembly on September 24. During his four-day visit to the United States, he also participated in several other programs and met with various heads of state.
Mahdi Amin said Bangladesh has reached a different dimension in the international arena, and Tarique Rahman has conveyed that message. He made it clear that Bangladesh is firmly committed to playing a major role in protecting world peace and prosperity.
Commenting that the Prime Minister's message has been well received in the international arena, he said, "How will people's fortunes change? How will problems be solved? How will a self-reliant, modern Bangladesh be built? How will a public welfare-oriented and humane state be constructed? For that, he presented all of the country's domestic plans and policies. At the same time, he gave a clear outline of what role Bangladesh can play as a democratic peace-loving state in protecting world peace. It has been received with great sincerity internationally."
Highlighting how Tarique Rahman has enhanced the country's dignity through meetings with various heads of state, his advisor said, "A Prime Minister has represented Bangladesh whose only source of political power in governing the state is the people. Therefore, he has received the highest respect and dignity from all world leaders. His respect and dignity mean Bangladesh's self-respect and Bangladesh's self-dignity. This has taken Bangladesh to a different dimensional position compared to previous times."
At the press conference, the Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shibli said, "The statement the Prime Minister gave this time was not just a routine speech; rather, every word of his speech was spread across the world stage. All those who represented at the United Nations received that message. We consider this a major achievement."
Mahdi Amin also highlighted how Prime Minister's wife Zubaida Rahman spent a busy time as a member of the Prime Minister's entourage during the visit.
He said, "She participated in eight programs. She spoke at three of them. She attended the United Nations Women Leaders' platform and presented Bangladesh's position and Bangladesh's expectations before women leaders from various countries around the world.
"She attended the World First Spouses Dialogue, a program for the spouses of heads of government or state from various countries, and presented Bangladesh's policy and her vision regarding the protection of maternal and child health. It was highly appreciated. She attended the Midwifery event, which the Honorable Prime Minister also attended and which was hosted by Bangladesh. There she personally presented her own experience as a physician and, from a policy-making perspective, Bangladesh's initiatives before the world stage."
The Prime Minister's advisor also highlighted Zubaida Rahman's participation in an event with US President's wife Melania Trump.
The entourage was once 92 people, this time 35
Highlighting that the Prime Minister's entourage had only 35 members, Saleh Shibli said, "You have seen that on the day the Honorable Prime Minister went, his entourage had only 35 people. You all already know, and we also learned, that 292 entourage members had gone to the United Nations from Bangladesh on a special or chartered aircraft. Those who went with 292 entourage members—whose money was that? That money was my money, the country people's money, the state administration's money."
He also remarked that a qualitative change is taking place in the country's politics through Tarique Rahman's steps.
Some incidents were made to happen
Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman believes that some incidents that occurred just before the Prime Minister's visit were intentional.
He said at the press conference, "We were about to depart for America as the Prime Minister's entourage. Then it was seen that some incidents were made to happen in Bangladesh—I won't say they happened. The incidents occurred in such a way that since we are going somewhere, this news would get prominence, so that it would not get prominence."
Ruman also suspects some incidents that occurred after the Prime Minister returned from the visit.
He said, "When we returned home, then there would be news about the success of our Prime Minister's visit, discussions would take place in various media, talk shows would be held, writings would appear in various media. Right then, it was seen that another incident was made to happen.
"Such an incident was made to happen that I noticed in all the media talk shows that it was discussed. For some reason, I feel that those who are opposing us seem to be following the same formula by which the fugitive fallen government ran the country. They are still following that formula."
The Additional Press Secretary said, "I am not saying these things directly.... You will understand. If you tie a government's hands and feet and say it must swim across this river, no one can pass such tests."
The press conference was moderated by the Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Roni, and was attended by the Prime Minister's speechwriter Mahfuzur Rahman, Deputy Press Secretaries Hasan Shipu and Md. Suzauddoula, and Assistant Press Secretaries K M Nazmul Haque and Shahriar Pamir.
