Turning to the government’s welfare priorities, the Prime Minister said the effective implementation of the Family Card and Farmer Card, allowances for imams and muezzins, and efforts to raise future generations as responsible citizens must be expedited. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernizing agriculture and generating employment opportunities for young people by establishing new mills, factories, and industrial enterprises. “Unless we place people at the center and prepare them properly, we cannot move the country forward. No matter how grand our slogans are, if we cannot make people self-reliant and ensure economic independence for every citizen, we will never succeed in building the nation,” he said. Tarique Rahman stated that the government’s primary objective is to build Bangladesh as a self-reliant and welfare-oriented state, rather than simply copying the model of another country. “We want to build a Bangladesh where every segment of society receives from the state the dignity and support they deserve based on their needs and abilities,” he added. Highlighting the role of women in national development, the Prime Minister said women make up half of the country’s population and no nation can progress by leaving them behind. He said the Family Card was introduced as a “groundbreaking” initiative to empower women, promote self-reliance, and provide every family with a stronger economic base. The government is also enabling women to study free of charge up to the graduate level, along with support for those who achieve good academic results, he added. Referring to government initiatives for farmers, Tarique Rahman said ensuring farmers’ economic self-reliance remains a priority. “That is why the Farmer Card has been introduced. Agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, have already been waived, directly benefiting 13 lakh farmers,” he added. The Prime Minister said the government had also planned to excavate 250 kilometres of canals across the country to improve irrigation facilities and address water shortages. Outlining a new approach to education and youth development, the Prime Minister said students would be developed as well-rounded individuals with skills in sports, cultural activities, and languages alongside formal academic qualifications. He also announced that the “Notun Kuri” competition, introduced during the tenure of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, would be revived to create opportunities for nurturing talent and creativity. “Opportunities are being created in every field to ensure the proper development of talent and potential,” the premier added. Tarique Rahman said the government is providing social allowances to imams, muezzins, khatibs, and religious leaders of other faiths to help them remain self-reliant as guides of society. “Besides, state assistance continues for disadvantaged people, persons with disabilities, and meritorious students,” he said. The Prime Minister said the current BNP government had resolved the retirement benefit complications of 123,000 teachers who had been deprived of their dues during the previous regime and had completed the payment process. He said BNP practices politics aimed at transforming the lives of the people. “BNP’s politics is about creating employment, supporting education, helping farmers increase their production, and establishing mills and factories. This is BNP’s politics,” he said. The Prime Minister said every pledge made before the election is being implemented gradually, and the people are witnessing the development journey. “Our goal is to work for the country and for the people and to change their fortunes. Only by changing the fortunes of the people can we change the fortunes of the country,” he said. Chaired by Social Welfare Minister Professor AZM Zahid Hossain, the event was also addressed by State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam, and lawmakers Fazlur Rahman, Mazharul Islam, and Jalal Uddin.