Staff Reporter :Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his desire to stand by people of Bangladesh and proceed forward together.”We [the two countries] will proceed together,” he said this while addressing a public speech event at the Bangabandhu International Convention Centre in the city on Sunday.The University of Dhaka organised the programme in cooperation with the Indian High Commission at the end of the Indian Prime Minister’s two-day Dhaka visit.Modi started his speech in Bangla as saying, “My Bangladeshi brothers and sisters! How are you? We are always with you. We will proceed forward along with you… Now tell me how is my Bangla [pronunciation]!”Praising Bangladesh government for its unique hospitality during his stay, he said, “The honour, respect which were given by the Bangladesh PM and her government, it’s not for Modi. It is for the people of India. I think, a new visit begins with the end of my tw0-day trip. “”We have emotional attachment with Bangladesh. I have also close connection with Bangladesh. My personal and political life got inspiration from Atal Bihari Vajpayee and that Vajpayee is honoured by Bangladesh today. And this honour was given by a freedom fighter President in presence of Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina,” he said. Modi was very much praiseworthy for Bangladesh and said, “Here the sun rises first, than the ray goes to our country. Our states should have to learn from Bangladesh, especially about the achievement in the sectors of early marriage, child death, nutrition, sanitation and others.” “We [India] may be a country of 125 crore people, but Bangladesh a country of only 17 crore secured second position in readymade garment sector. I like to thank PM Sheikh Hasina. She fixed one goal that is steady growth. Six percent growth is not a small thing. You can’t call it a small achievement. The country [BD] which is so strong and resourceful…it is not possible for anyone to resist the progress of Bangladesh.” About recently signed Land Boundary Agreement, the Indian Premier said, “A few people had ever thought about the signing of LBA. The LBA is not a solution of land dispute. It is such a treaty which has connected the mind of two nations. The world had witnessed all the wars only for land. But we two countries have made the land agreement as a part of mutual trust. He said, “I met Tourism Minister today. It is impossible to think India without Buddha [Gautam Buddha]. Where there is Buddha, it is not possible to initiate a war there. They can fight for land, but cannot. I have read a headline in a newspaper where the writer termed it as fall of Berlin wall.” Mentioning that the whole world is now inter-related through connectivity, he said, “Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan will get benefit from the connectivity in rail, road, water and air routes.” The Indian Prime Minister categorically defamed the terrorism and instead he promoted tourism. “There must be zero tolerance against terrorism. There is no reason for terrorism. Terrorism what has given to world? Terrorism is enemy of humanity. If we believe in humanity, the countries must be united against terrorism. We must eliminate terrorism.” Praising the performance of Bangladesh cricket, Narendra Modi said, “Although Bangladesh started playing cricket in late, but there is no scope to undermine it. There is woman cricketer Salma Akhter. There is Al Hasan [ Shahkib]. I hope the Bangladesh will do better in cricket in the future.”About woman leadership, he said, “The PM, opposition leader and political party chief are woman. Here the DU Pro VC is also woman.” “My two-day visit is fruitful. Not only the Asia, but also the world will post mortem the visit thoroughly. Some will see what we have got and what we have given. But if I want to express it in a word, I will say that the two countries are staying together side by side.” Reciting a poem of Jibannanads Das, Modi said, “I will come back again on the bank of Dhanshiri River [in this country]. Joy Bangla, Joy Hind.”
