Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has remarked that the decision to finance the Padma Bridge independently has changed Bangladesh’s mentality about being reported by influential foreign states. She stated, “Those who used to dictate to us earlier, now think that Bangladesh can’t move forward without them. Their mindset has changed. Now, when they hear about Bangladesh, they take it seriously internationally.”
On Friday (July 5), at the closing ceremony of the Padma Bridge project in Mawa, she further commented on these matters. The closing ceremony was organized as the deadline for the construction of the multi-purpose Padma Bridge project ended on June 30.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized, “We will not let the Padma Bridge be judged by money. This is our pride, not a matter of judgment by numbers. This decision has given Bangladesh that dignity. The people of Bangladesh have established themselves on a dignified pedestal. The sacrifice of thousands of martyrs’ blood did not go in vain; it has succeeded. Through socio-economic development, we will elevate Bangladesh to a prosperous state by 2041.”
Referring to the fruition of the Padma Bridge, she said, “The people of Padma are always suffering, coming and going. In 1952, we used to travel to Dhaka by boat with my father, the late Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It took four days and four nights. At that time, Abba (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) was in jail. Many lives have been lost in this journey. Various services have been disrupted. Today, no service is disrupted anymore.”
