Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we have been recognized by the United Nations as a developing country. Bangladesh is now on the highway of development.
Bangladesh will become a developing country before 2024.
The minister said this while addressing a discussion meeting, Red Crescent Award, prize distribution and cultural program as the chief guest on the occasion of celebrating 'World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day -2018' organized by the Bangladesh Red Cross Society in Hall of the Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College auditorium.
Presided over by Bangladesh Red Cross Society Chairman Hafiz Ahmed Majumdar, Vice Chairmen of the program Prof Dr Habeebe Millat, Society's Treasurer Advocate Touhidur Rahman spoke on the occasion.
The minister said, the development activities of our country are being hampered due to geographical location and natural disasters. By winning all obstacles under Sheikh Hasina, we will become middle-income between 2021 and developed countries by 2041.
He said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman established the Preparedness and Disaster Preparedness Cyclone Preparedness Program (July 1, 1973) on July 1, 1973. Under the program, about 55 thousand volunteers have been working in the last 47 years for the life of nearly 20 million people in 43 upazilas of 13 coastal districts.
The Minister said the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day are special days for people with all human values worldwide. He said this day is a recognition for millions of volunteers, members and workers who have devoted themselves to the service of humanity every day.
He also said that the activities of the Red Cross Society will play a more helpful role in the development of the capacity to increase natural calamity, provide relief, supply of primary medical services, and train the people of the coastal areas to fight the disaster and to increase the awareness among the various ministries, departments and organizations. The minister urged the people to spread inspiration to work in the service of the new generation among the new generation.