Deputy Speaker of Parliament Kayser Kamal has said everyone must contribute from their respective positions to transform Bangladesh into a developed and effective state.
“As citizens of the state, if we do not act responsibly, it will never be possible for the government alone to turn the country into a developed or effective state. This Bangladesh belongs to me, you and all of us. To keep it on the right path, we all have to work from our own positions,” he said.
He made the remarks on Monday afternoon while attending a canal cleaning programme as part of a nationwide dengue prevention and cleanliness campaign in Durgapur of Netrokona.
Kayser Kamal, who is also the lawmaker from Netrokona-1 (Durgapur-Kalmakanda), attended the programme as the chief guest organised jointly by the upazila administration and Durgapur Municipality.
The event was chaired by Durgapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ahmed Sadat, where more than 100 volunteers from voluntary organisation BD Clean took part in the campaign aimed at reducing dengue infections and raising public awareness.
Before the inauguration of the cleanliness drive, the deputy speaker administered an oath to BD Clean volunteers to build a clean and humane Bangladesh.
After the oath-taking, volunteers wearing life jackets and gloves entered the canal with necessary equipment and began removing water hyacinths and plastic waste. The deputy speaker and others also joined the cleaning activities.
Highlighting the social and religious importance of cleanliness, Kayser Kamal said, “In Islam, cleanliness is considered a part of faith. Not only in Islam, cleanliness is socially recognised and valued in every religion, and it is desired by all.”
“Unfortunately, due to a lack of awareness, we often refrain from this important responsibility,” he added.
Praising the initiative of BD Clean volunteers, he said, “The canal that BD Clean friends have come to clean today had remained in such a poor condition for nearly two decades. I express my deep gratitude to the upazila administration, municipal administration and all BD Clean volunteers for taking such an excellent initiative.”
Expressing concern over the rising prevalence of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases across the country, the deputy speaker said people in Durgapur, Kalmakanda and other areas of Bangladesh were facing increasing cases of dengue and other infectious and waste-related diseases.
“Unfortunately, our children are the biggest victims of these diseases. Today’s cleanliness programme is mainly for the next generation so that our children can remain healthy, live free from diseases and have a better future,” he said.
At the programme, BD Clean administered an oath to participants. Referring to the pledge, Kayser Kamal said it called on everyone to work towards building a humane and effective state.
Urging people to learn from past mistakes and work for a better future, he said, “I request everyone to forget the past or learn from it and build the Bangladesh of today and tomorrow. Through our collective efforts, the next generation will inherit a happier and better country.”
