Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the conspiracy of the anti-liberation forces is still on, but they cannot confuse the people like the previous time.

"The anti-liberation forces are still hatching conspiracy against Bangladesh, but that conspiracy has now failed to confuse the people," she said.

The prime minister said this while addressing a children's rally marking the 96th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation and National Children's Day on the Bangabandhu Mausoleum premises in Tungipara today.

Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and Gopalganj district administration jointly organised the rally participated by students of different educational institutions of Tungipara, birthplace of Bangabandhu.

Rafiatur Zaman, student of a local school, presided over the function while State Minister for Children and Women Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki was present as special guest.

Ministers, parliament members, cabinet secretary, chiefs of the three services, political leaders, senior civil and military officials were present.

The prime minister said the country is advancing towards the development getting free from the curse gradually as the trial and punishment of the war criminals are going on.

"Trial is going on against those who opposed the Liberation, collaborated with the Pakistani occupational forces and committed war crimes. Due to their trial, Bangladesh is now gradually getting rid of the curse and advancing towards development," she added.

Talking about the killings of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his family members and four national leaders in jail, the prime minister said through these killings, attempt was made to divert the country into another direction from the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War.

"People of the country were deprived to know the real history of our victory. They were deprived to know that there is something for us for which we could be proud of," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also said that everything had been done to spoil the spirit of the Liberation War.

The prime minister terming today's children as future leaders of the nation called upon them to develop themselves as qualified citizens following the ideals of Father of the Nation and being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War.

She also advised the children to follow guidelines of their teachers, parents and guardians as well as maintain discipline in all spheres of life to make their future meaningful.
Mentioning education as the most valuable asset in life, the prime minister said none could ever snatch this wealth.

That is why, her government has created better opportunities for the children's education to flourish their latent talents and merits, she said.

In this regard, she urged them to be more dedicated and attentive in their regular academic studies, sports and cultural activities to develop themselves as worthy citizens.

The prime minister said father of the nation was the leader of the exploited and deprived people across the world and he used to help his poor classmates and distressed people starting from his boyhood.

Referring to an interview which Bangabandhu had given to a foreign journalist, she said, Bangabandhu said that he used to love the people which was his qualification while he loved them too much and it was his disqualification.

Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu who gave the nation an independent country through his 23 years' long struggles wanted to build an educated nation to stand before the world with self dignity.

Saying Bangladesh is a country of immense possibilities and potentials, Sheikh Hasina also called upon all to come forward and dedicate the present for a beautiful future of the children.

Later, the prime minister distributed prizes among the winners of various literature and cultural competitions arranged by the district administration marking the 96th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu.

Sheikh Hasina also inaugurated a book fair at the mazar complex and went round a number of stalls.