"It is our responsibility to keep this country and society safe and prosperous for future generation. We all have to think what we are leaving for them," she told the inaugural function of the World Children's Day and Child Rights Week 2005 at the Osmani Memorial auditorium.

Khaleda said children of today are the citizens of the future and if they don't grow up as worthy citizens, then there might be a vacuum in future national leadership. "So we have to be more attentive to overall blooming of children."

The theme of the day this year is 'Sushasthya Sushikhha Nirapad Paribesh ---Barbe Shishu Gorbe Desh' (good health, good education, safe environmenthelp grow children to build country).

Khaleda said observance of this day and week should not be confined merely to ceremonies--all should work everyday of the year for grooming, welfare and development of the children.

Listing a number of policies, programmes and achievements, she said her government's one of the major commitments is to protect child rights.

She said the government is implementing a number of international and regional programmes, including UN Child Rights Charter and MDG, to ensure children's overall welfare.

She said the government is implementing its national children policy formulated in line with those programmes. The children from different institutions, ministers and

MPs attended the function.

Referring to her election commitments to build up children healthy, strong and educated, Khaleda said they have given priority to children in national activities, upholding the motto: 'Sabar Agey Shishu' and 'Shishuder Ha Bolun'.

She said a "silent revolution" has taken place in children's education. She said her government is first in this region to provide stipend to make poor children school-going.

The government has provided about Tk 1,277 crore in stipend for 1.65 crore students till January 2005 from July 2002, she said. And high food-quality biscuits also are being supplied to over seven lakh poor students.

Khaleda said the project 'Reaching Out-of-school Children' is being implemented in 60 upazilas involving Tk 400 crore to bring underprivileged and dropout children under primary education curriculum.

Hard-to-Reach project has also been taken up for education of working children.

Minister for Women and Children Affairs Khurshid Jahan Huq presided over the inaugural function. Unicef officer in charge in Bangladesh Dr Rosella Morelli and

a girl, Morsheda Karim, on behalf of children also spoke.

Khaleda also distributed gold and silver medals among children who have attained first and second positions in international art competition in Egypt, China, Japan and Iran.

Later she enjoyed a cultural show performed by children.