Bangladesh Army becomes a role model for its service during Covid-19: Army chief

Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed on Thursday said Bangladesh Army members have earned praise from the world for performing their duty with professionalism and by risking their lives amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The medical system of the Bangladesh Army has been a role model for the world, he added.

The army chief was speaking as the chief guest at the flag hoisting ceremony of four units at the newly formed Ramu Cantonment in Cox's Bazar.

General Aziz instructed the units to be ready to protect the dignity of the national flag in recognition of efficiency, hard work and devotion to duty and to accept the highest sacrifices in any need of the country.

The Bangladesh Army has been making a significant contribution to the socio-economic and infrastructural development of the country including defending the sovereignty of the country as well as dealing with natural and man-made disasters, he said while addressing guests at the flag hoisting parade.

The army chief said in response to the pandemic situation, the army has provided food aid to 3,24,700 families and 29,061 farmers with seasonal crop seeds free of cost under its management. They have also provided clothes to 29,289 families. Besides, army members have conducted 74,235 patrols across the country to create awareness.

General Aziz further mentioned when the general public was having difficulty in getting medical services due to the pandemic, the army doctors and health workers conducted temporary camps in different parts of the country at the risk of infection and provided medical services to 50,831 people.

Besides, special medical services have been provided to 14,647 pregnant mothers. Also, the army has shown its reliance and efficiency in setting up and operating quarantine centres in different parts of the country, he added.

He directed the army members present in the 10th Infantry Division in Ramu Cantonment to develop confidence, mutual trust, sympathy and brotherhood by maintaining training to develop into an orderly, efficient and capable army member.

He also instructed them to be always ready to face any internal and external threat by achieving professionalism.

Another milestone has been added in the way of implementation of Bangladesh Army Development Vision Forces Goal 2030 through the deployment of 10 Infantry Divisions and four units in Cox's Bazar area. The Division is successfully engaged in all training and administrative activities as well as providing security and relief to the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, he said further.

The Chief of Army Staff was received by GOC and Area Commander of 10 Infantry Division, Cox's Bazar Area Major General Ahmed Tabrez Shams Chowdhury. A paramilitary contingent of the Army led by Major Rifat Uddin Bhuiyan then paraded and saluted the Chief of Army Staff. The flags of Ramu Static Signal Company Ramu, CMH Ramu and 10 Field Intelligence Unit were hoisted by the chief of army staff and senior army officials at the Bangladesh Army Station Headquarters.

Later, he attended the closing ceremony of "Mujib Year Cycling Expedition-2020" under the overall supervision of the Bangladesh Army on the occasion of birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.  

He presented certificates and medals to the cyclists who participated in the Cycling Expedition-2020. 

It is to be mentioned that the journey of this cycling expedition started from Banglabanda Zero Point in Panchagarh on 8 November 2020. The flag-in ceremony of the competition was held on 3 December at Shahpari Island in Teknaf. To keep Mujib Year immortalised in the pages of history, 100 members of the Bangladesh Army with indomitable strength and courage crossed 1,010 km from Banglabandha in Tetulia to Shah Pari Island in Teknaf.