The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Day-2022 will be celebrated today through various programmes at its Pilkhana headquarters and all battalions across the country, reports BSS.
Marking the day, special prayers will be offered at all mosques in Pilkhana after Fazr prayers.
Later, BGB Director General (DG) Major General Shakil Ahmed will hoist of BGB's regimental flags atop BGB headquarters formally and pay homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the "Simanto Gourab" at the BGB headquarters here.
To mark the day, a formal parade will be held at Bir Uttam Anwar Hossain Parade Ground in BGB headquarters at 10 on the day.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inspect the parade and take salute, distribute medals among BGB members in recognition of their heroic and outstanding contribution. Later, a special Darbar will be held.
State-owned Bangladesh Television and other private channels will live broadcast the parade.
Other programmes of the day will include a grand 'Joint Retreat Ceremony' by BGB-BSF at the ICP adjacent to the land ports of Benapole, Panchagarh and Brahmanbaria, holding of a special Darbar of the BGB DG, distributing medals and insignia, distributing awards for outstanding work, promotion to Honorary Assistant Director and Honorary Deputy Director, distributing grants and gifts to the freedom fighters/successors of the forces, a reception function, milad and special prayers and cultural programmes.
On the occasion, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages greeting the BGB members and wishing the day's programme a success.
In his message, President Hamid recalled the contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to achieve the independence of Bangladesh and said the message of the Father of the Nation's declaration of independence was delivered wirelessly to the remote areas of the country from the EPR (now BGB) headquarters.
At the directive of Bangabandhu, the Bangalee members of the then EPR created an all-out resistance against the Pakistani occupation forces, he said, adding that some 817 members, including Birshreshtha Noor Mohammad Sheikh and Birshreshtha Munshi Abdur Rouf, of the force set an unique example of patriotism by sacrificing their lives in the Liberation War.
The paramilitary force BDR (now BGB) won the 'Swadhinata Padak' in 2008 for its role in the Liberation War, the President said.
Noting that the present government has transformed the paramilitary force more organized, smarter, disciplined and professional, reorganizing and modernizing the BGB by taking different initiatives following the Bangabandhu's footsteps, Hamid said ultra modern equipment have been added to the BGB to make the border guarding force a modern one to face the challenges of the 21st century.
This BGB is able to discharge its duties efficiently as a three-dimensional force roaming over water, land and sky to protect country's sovereignty, he added.
The President said the BGB members are discharging their duties relentlessly for protecting the country`s bordering areas by preventing smuggling, woman and child trafficking and drug peddling.
They are also playing laudable role in conducting rescue operation during any disaster, maintaining internal law and order and protecting people's properties, he added.
The President hoped that the BGB members being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War and patriotism would discharge their respective duties with utmost honesty, sincerity and professionalism to uphold country's interest.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangabandhu himself had started the work for modernizing and reorganizing the border guarding force (now BGB).
Following the footsteps of Bangabandhu, she said, the Awami League government has taken all necessary measures to make the BGB a time befitting and modern force since 2009.
The premier said, "The Border Guard Bangladesh Act-2010 has been enacted to this end. A plan in line with the 'Border Guard Bangladesh Vision-2041' has also been taken".
In continuation of the government efforts, Sheikh Hasina said, required number of manpower has been increased by establishing new regions, sectors, battalions and BOPs for reorganizing the force and decentralizing the command level.
Noting that the manpower of the force will be increased to 92,000 by 2041, she said, "I believe that there is no alternative to professional excellence for boosting the morale and courage of the force".
For increasing professional skills through advanced training, the premier said, the work of setting up another training center with state-of-the-art training facilities at Chuadanga is in progress along with the establishment of 'Border Guard Training Center and College' in Satkania, Chittagong.
Highlighting different development works of the border security force, she said, the latest MI-171-E helicopters have already been added to the force by creating the Border Guard Bangladesh Air Wing.
Sophisticated anti-tank weapons have been added to the force to ensure border security and sovereignty, Sheikh Hasina said, adding All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) has been added to enhance mobility in patrolling in the remote border.
Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Riot Control Vehicles have been added to ensure security in borders and inside the country, the Prime Minister said, adding that to play an effective role in suppressing any cross-border crime including drug and human trafficking in the water border of the Sundarbans dense forest in the southwestern part of the country and the Naf River on the border of Myanmar and the sea coast of St. Martin Island, Border Guard Bangladesh has added high-powered series of high-speed interceptor boats and air boats to its fleet.
With the help of modern digital technology, she said, 'Smart Digital Surveillance and Tactical Border Response System' has been installed in vulnerable and sensitive areas of the border to ensure flawless security at the border.
Moreover, implementation of constructing 1036 kilometer of border roads for the people living in hilly border and remote areas have started, Sheikh Hasina added.
"Border Guard Bangladesh is playing an important role in implementing our government's 'zero tolerance' policy against drugs and building a drug-free country and society," she said, adding that during the recent tense situation caused by the internal conflict in Myanmar, the BGB has showed signs of professionalism in providing security to the border people, which is being appreciated all over the world.
Apart from keeping the country's independence and sovereignty intact, Sheikh Hasina hoped that every member of the BGB being imbued with the spirit of the Great Liberation War will discharge their responsibilities with honesty, devotion and discipline.
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