Honourable Prime Minister (HPM) Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said that political leadership and decision- and not military rule - is the most important matter for a country to prosper. “Whenever our country was outside this political decision, which means under direct or indirect military rule, it did not register its development and prosperity. The people of the country have to realise this,” she said. The premier said this while delivering her introductory speech at an event. She said that development in every sector was ensured while the political leadership came to power. “At least I can claim that from 2009 to 2023 the unprecedented development of the country was done by the political decision,” she added.

A recent survey by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics revealed the poverty rate, despite the global crisis, declined by 5.6% in seven years from 2016 to 2022, owing to an array of initiatives put in place by the government. In 2016, the poor population in the country was 24.3%, which declined to 18.7% in 2022. The average monthly household income in Bangladesh jumped to Tk 32,422 in 2022, a rise of more than 102% compared to the last survey conducted six years ago in 2016. Now the literacy rate rose to 74%, from 65% as found in an earlier survey back in 2016.

Braving threats of religious bigots, people across Bangladesh celebrated the Pohela Boishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year-1430, across the country and elsewhere amid festivity and joy, upholding the rich cultural values and rituals. The Bengali new-year was welcomed through seeking the welfare of mankind and prosperity and success of the country. Besides, the attendants of the celebration programmes voiced against fundamentalism and anti-liberation forces. On the eve of the new year, HPM Sheikh Hasina extended her greetings vowing to take her country to new heights, while even foreigners were seen taking part in colourful procession in the capital.

The country’s remittance inflows witnessed a rapid growth ahead of Eid festival to stand at $476.89 million within only the first seven days in April. Remittance inflows has crossed $2 billion in a single month for the first time this year to stand at $2.02 billion in March. Such trend of inflows increased by 29.29% in March over the previous month in February amounting to $1.56 billion. In March 2022, the remittance inflows was $1.86 billion. A number of incentives, put in place by the government, has largely contributed to the rise in remittances.

Power plants in Bangladesh generated record 15,304 megawatts (MW) of electricity days back— a new milestone, according to the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). According to the PDB, this new production record is the result of maximum effort to maintain the normal power generation and supply during Ramadan and summer. This achievement stands as shining testament to remarkable progress made under this sector, thanks to a visionary pledge by Awami League led government to ensure electricity for every house.

After nearly 50 years, Bangladesh got back about 75 decimals of disputed land and some additional land on the Naogaon border, thanks to the initiative of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB). Following a recent flag meeting between border forces of both countries, Bangladesh got back the ownership of about one acre of land after four decades in a peaceful way. Under the leadership of HPM Sheikh Hasina, this youngest nation in South Asia amicably settled a number of victories at the UN maritime tribunal over Myanmar and the signing of historic Land Boundary Agreement with India.