Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, 'There was only one attempt since the return of the country, the country that my father made independent, that country can never fail, there can be no conflict.'

she said this in her address as the chief guest at the 49th founding anniversary of the Presidential Guard Regiment (PGR) on Sunday afternoon, referring to being outside the country when Bangabandhu was killed by his family on August 15, 1975, then living as a refugee for six years and returning home.

Referring to the contribution of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the formation of the country during the independence war and after the war, Sheikh Hasina said, 'The foundation for establishing an independent state was laid by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib. It is really amazing to think how he has done so much work in such a short period of time.'

she said, 'But unfortunately for us, after the killing of the father of the nation on August 15, Bangladesh could not move forward. Because, constantly in our army Q, one after another has been killed. And thousands of soldiers-officers had to give their lives.'

she said, 'After returning to the country, I said in my first speech during the six-point observance on June 7, I don't want to hear the cries of any widow in the armed forces, I don't want to hear the cries of childless fathers and fatherless children. My endeavor was to make those who would defend our freedom-sovereignty more advanced and prosperous-where there would be peace, not conflict.'

Referring to some of the works done by the Awami League to modernize the armed forces after coming to power, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, 'I was in the government for five years, I wanted to improve Bangladesh. We started the journey with a food deficit of 4 million metric tons, we made Bangladesh self-sufficient in food. 1 thousand 600 megawatts of electricity was produced, we were able to increase the production of 4 thousand 300 megawatts of electricity.

After that, the Awami League could not form the government in the 2001 elections. In this regard, Sheikh Hasina said, 'In 2001, I could not come to the government because there was a proposal to sell our gas, I did not agree. I don't have that weakness to come to power by selling the country's wealth.'

she said, 'America is a big country, their company produces gas. India will buy. If you speak against such a big country, you can no longer stay in power. So in 2001 I got more votes but could not form the government. But I had no regrets.'

After many storms, the Awami League won again in the 2008 elections and formed the government.

Highlighting the initiatives implemented by his government to modernize the armed forces, the Prime Minister said, 'The Presidential Guard Regiment has emerged as a highly integrated force today. The head of state, the head of the government, the family of the father of the nation are making a great contribution to the security of all. Apart from that, their role in various state functions is highly commendable.'

Prime Minister expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to all the members of PGR.

Highlighting the public welfare activities during the tenure of her government, the Prime Minister said, 'Even the big countries now have to say that Bangladesh is now a role model for development. Today we are the 33rd largest economy in the world. If there was no corona pandemic, no Ukraine-Russia war, no sanctions-counter-sanctions, we would have gone much further.'

she said, 'Today, the way Israel has carried out the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza, I have protested it internationally. I protested it wherever I went—and still do. Genocide like this, torture of women and children—it really cannot be tolerated. We always protest injustice, stand with justice.'

The Prime Minister said, 'I would request everyone to practice a little austerity in all areas. If we move forward by austerity, by increasing production, we will be able to reach our desired goal.'