Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday reiterated her firm commitment to present a “bright future” to the children by building a developed and prosperous Bangladesh, free from hunger, poverty and illiteracy.

“We have been working with a target to give the children a bright future by building a developed and prosperous Bangladesh as dreamt by Father of the Nation,” she said while attending a children's rally and a cultural programme that was organised marking the birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day at Bangabandhu Mausoleum Complex in Tungipara.

Expressing her commitment to serve the people until her last breath, she said that she had a desire to turn the country into a suitable abode for the next generation.

Highlighting the contributions of Bangabandhu, the premier said he got only three and a half years of time and within the timeframe he rebuilt the war ravaged country and shaped Bangladesh as an independent nation.

She mentioned Bangladesh would successfully celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu in 2020 and golden jubilee of the Independence in 2021.

The government has already declared 2020-2021 as “Mujib Barsha”, she said.

The prime minister urged the children to study attentively and take advantages and facilities provided by the government to become worthy citizens.

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and Gopalganj district administration jointly organised the rally of schoolchildren of different educational institutions in Tungipara, the birthplace of Bangabandhu.

Novelist and Chairman of Bangladesh Shishu Academy Selina Hossain attended the function as the special guest.

Members of the cabinet, cabinet secretary, chiefs of three services, senior leaders of the Awami League, government officials, teachers of different educational institutions attended the function.

Lamia Shikder, a class five student of Gopalganj Maleka Academy, presided over the programme while Arafat Hossain, a class four student gave the welcome address.

Sheikh Hasina received a replica of the logo of Branding of Gopalganj District from the deputy commissioner and unveiled the cover of a book on the letters written for Bangabandhu titled “Bangabandhuke Lekha Chithi”.

The best letter written to Bangabandhu was also read out by a class 10 student Suraiya Yasmin at the function.

A video titled “Amar Kotha Shono” was screened on the occasion.

The prime minister also inaugurated a book fair and visited a painting exhibition of the children on “Bangabandhu and Bangladesh”.

Later the prime minister handed over sewing machines to two distressed women of Tungipara and Kotalipara upazilas of Gopalganj.

The premier also distributed prizes among the children who participated in literary and cultural competitions organised by Gopalganj district administration marking the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation and the National Children's Day.

At the programme, the premier also recalled the contribution of her mother Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, grandfather Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and grandmother Saira Khatun to help Bangabandhu.