DHAKA: Prominent intellectuals and eminent citizens of the country yesterday termed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the torchbearer and symbol of Bangladesh’s progress, prosperity and forward march in the community of nations.

“Under her capable, farsighted and visionary leadership, the nation that fought successfully a nine-month bloody war in 1971 removed all impediments to initiate trials of the war criminals after 41 years of the country’s independence,” they said adding that the nation has now been marching towards the right course of glorifying the spirit of the War of Liberation.

They said this while speaking at a rousing civic reception accorded to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by Jatiya Nagorik Committee on her government’s accomplishments over the years including that of her relentless efforts to implement the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the city.

In response to the grand civic reception accorded to her, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina dedicated her accomplishments to the people of Bangladesh saying: what socio-economic development we could ensure over the years was the people’s contributions, this honour is not for me but for the people of Bangla.

Since noon, people from all walks of life, particularly leaders and workers of the ruling Awami League and its associate bodies, in a jovial mood marched in sporadic marches towards the venue from all the directions of the city braving rains and soon the Suhrawardy Udyan virtually turned into a human sea.

At the reception ceremony, the Jatiya Nagorik Committee president & celebrated author Syed Shamsul Huq decorated Sheikh Hasina with the title ‘Deshoratna’ amid thunderous clapping from the crowd for her immense contributions to the country and its people and her bold, courageous and visionary leadership to transform Bangladesh into a model of progress in the world.

Syed Shamsul Huq gave the introductory speech at the colourful function, also addressed, among others, by Emeritus Prof Anisuzzaman, economist Dr Quazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman, Shaheed Jaya (widow of a martyr) Shymali Nasreen Chowdhury, academician Dr Anupam Sen, historian Prof Muntasir Mamun, cultural personality Nasir Uddin Yusuf Bachchu and former captain of Bangladesh Cricket squad Akram Khan.

They highlighted the achievements of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a successful politician and statesman in various fields of national life upgrading the people’s socio-economic emancipation and changing their lifestyle offsetting propaganda of a vested quarter against her ruling Awami League government.