TIMES Report Dhaka
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed authorities to transform the Bangladesh Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) into a modern, self-reliant institution capable of supporting national development and security.
The prime minister also urged students to prepare themselves as competent, skilled and responsible citizens.
He paid a surprise visit to SPARRSO’s headquarters at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Agargaon at around 9:15am, where he instructed officials to strengthen the country’s space research and remote sensing capabilities.
He toured various departments of the organisation and exchanged views with its officials and staff, said the PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.
SPARRSO Chairman Md Rashedul Islam briefed him on the organisation’s overall activities, while officials showcased ongoing research, innovations and development projects.
Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, Defence Secretary Md Ashraf Uddin, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, Private Secretary-2 Md Mehedul Islam, and senior officials of the Defence Ministry and SPARRSO accompanied the prime minister during the visit.
SPARRSO is Bangladesh’s national agency responsible for space science, satellite technology and remote sensing research and applications.
Later, the prime minister hosted a lunch for students, teachers and visitors at the VIP Cafeteria of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, where he encouraged young people to develop themselves into responsible citizens capable of contributing to a developed and prosperous Bangladesh.
The guests included 29 law students from the Canadian University of Bangladesh, 21 underprivileged students and teachers brought by Suravi, a partner organisation of the Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE), and 16 students and teachers from the Tejgaon College Debating Society.
During the programme, the prime minister interacted with the students, enquired about their studies and advised them to give equal importance to sports alongside academic pursuits.
“The present generation is the future of the country. You must prepare yourselves to build a developed and prosperous Bangladesh,” Tarique Rahman told the students.
The students and teachers thanked the prime minister for hosting the lunch.
As part of their visit to Parliament, the guests also learned about the activities of the Parliament Secretariat, visited the Parliament Library, took part in a photo session at the North Plaza and observed parliamentary proceedings from the visitors’ gallery.
