President Md Abdul Hamid on Wednesday urged all to give their coordinated effort to make the country a prosperous state in the 21st century utilising scattered possibilities across the country.

 ‘The development potential of Bangladesh is very bright. But our possibilities are scattered in different parts of the country. Therefore, to make the country a prosperous state in the 21st century, these development possibilities must be used properly with the coordinated efforts of people’s representatives, entrepreneurs, government employees and local people,’ the President said while exchanging views with local professionals and civil society at Charfasson in the afternoon, reports the UNB.

President also formally inaugurated South Asia’s tallest watch tower built in Charfasson on Wednesday.

Terming development as continues process, the President Hamid said development does not come by its own, it is to be achieved. ‘So we have to go ahead with what we own without depending on others,’ he said.

Around 17 crore people have been living in the small country of 54,000 square miles area. It should be seriously considered at every step of development that if this huge population cannot be turned into human resource, then all development plans of the country will fail, the President Hamid said.

He urged local professionals, civil societies and government and private employees to reflect people’s expectations and opinions in their activities as they work on the ground staying in direct touch with the people.  

 ‘Remember, the government’s image, success and failure is dependent on your conduct and responsibilities. So you need to bring about qualitative changes in government services as per the needs of the hour as the public servant’, President said.

He also asked them to transform the government’s service centres into a solution hub for the people’s problems. ‘Maintain honesty, devotion and sincerity in performing duties and prioritize public interest,’ the President said.

Praising Charfasson’s development, the President said the development of Charfasson is known to all today. Development of many areas, including infrastructures, roads, educational institutions, local government institutions, river conservation, office courts are being followed  in many other areas, he said.

Terming the possibility of tourism in Charfasson as very bright, President Hamid urged private entrepreneurs and local people to come forward alongside the government to utilize this possibility.

He emphasized on increasing tourist safety and facilities to ensure the development of tourism industry. The tourism industry has developed a lot through watch towers in different countries of the world.

Terming the construction of 18-story 220-feet high tower under the supervision of Charfasson Municipality and Deputy Minister for Forest and Environment and also local MP Abdullah Al Islam Jacob’s initiative as groundbreaking step, President Hamid hoped that the tower will contribute positively to attract both local and foreign tourists.

The inaugurating of the modern and the tallest ‘Jacob Tower’ in Southeast Asia is the beginning of a new horizon in the tourism industry of Bangladesh, he said.

Referring to the education as a one of the key tools of country’s development and progress, he urged the teachers to provide time-befitting teachings to make the children as skill and well-educated to compete the global competition.

Chaired by Mayor of Charfasson Municipality Badal Krishna, the meeting was also attended by Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Deputy Minister for Forest and Environment and a local MP Abdullah  Al Islam Jacob and elite of the societies were present.

Earlier, the President inaugurated four establishments – Principal Nazrul Islam Degree College, Begum Rohima Islam Degree College, Nazrul Islam Teachers’ Training College and Rasulpur-Awazpur Moitree Setu at Charfasson in Bhola.

President Hamid, as part of his two-day visit to Bhola district, reached Charfasson at about 1:45 pm. He is scheduled to address another public meeting at Bhola Sadar Upazila tomorrow.

The President is expected to return to Dhaka tomorrow afternoon.