Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was accorded a rousing mass reception on Friday as she returned home wrapping up her fortnight long visits to the Canada and the USA.
Awami League arranged the showdown to welcome Sheikh Hasina on her return after attending the 5th Global Fund Replenishment Conference in Montreal and the 71st UN General Assembly in New York.
In the USA, the Prime Minister was decorated with the United Nations ‘Planet 50-50 Champion’ and the ‘Agent of Change’ awards for her able leadership in running the state and her multidimensional contributions to the country and its people.
The reception was also meant for her strong role in the international arena particularly projecting Bangladesh as a dignified country alongside playing the statesmanship.
An Emirates flight carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 6:42 pm.
Cabinet members, senior Awami League leaders and high civil and military officials received the Prime Minister.
Leaders and workers of Awami League, its alliance partners, Swechhcha League, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Mohila League, Jubo League, Muktijoddha League, Sramik League and Krishak League took position in different points of the capital, including Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Khilkhet, Kuril Flyover point, Radisson Water Blu and Kakoli points, Banani, Jahangir Gate, PMO, Bijoy Sarani, Military Museum and Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban point upto Ganobhaban to welcome the Prime Minister.
Carrying the national flag, banners, placards, portraits of Bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina and Sajeeb Wazed Joy on either side of the street on her way to Ganobhaban from the airport, they showered flowers, petals and raised full throated slogans hailing the Prime Minister’s leading role and achievements in the international arena.
Besides, leaders of Awami League-led 14-party alliance, its associate and brotherly organisations as well as various political and sociocultural bodies spontaneously accorded hearty reception to Sheikh Hasina for running the country efficiently as well as establishing Bangladesh as a dignified country before the world.
Thousands of people of all walks of life thronged the street from early afternoon to convey their hearty welcome to the most successful leader in the world in ensuring women empowerment, education, health and food security as well as facing terrorism and militancy with an iron hand.
Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Awami League, responded to the crowd waving her hands.
Various law enforcement agencies, including police and Rapid Action Battalion, had to face endless trouble to control the situation when Prime Minister’s motorcade started for Ganobhaban.
On her arrival at Ganobhaban around 7:35 pm, the Prime Minister was accorded a warm reception by the country’s noted citizens, including educationists, cultural activists, artistes and intellectuals.
At the main entrance of Ganobhaban, PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique and eminent Tagore singer Rezwana Choudhury Bannya on behalf of the noted citizens welcomed the Prime Minister with a bouquet.
At that time, Bannya sang parts of ‘Aji Bangladesher Hridoy Hote Kakhan Aponi’ – a famous Tagore song.
Cultural personality Ramendu Majumdar and Nasiruddin Yusuf Bachchu, dancers Shibli Mohammad and Shamim Ara Nipa were, among others, present on the occasion.
The Prime Minister also exchanged pleasantries with the eminent citizens.
