Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the people of Bangladesh would tackle the prevailing obstacles with the courage and strength like 1971 to take forward the country in every sphere including science and technology.

“We are now facing some problems. Children are barred from attending their exams. A clique of evil force in the name of siege and hartal is creating the obstacles. But people of Bangladesh have the strength and courage to overcome any barrier,” she said.

The Prime Minister said this while distributing this year’s Bangabandhu Fellowship, National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship and research donation among students and researchers at a function at Osmani Memorial Hall.

The Prime Minister lamented criticisms of a vested section against her government saying those people even criticized us when Bangladesh qualified for test match.

 “Bangladesh is going ahead and Bangladesh will go ahead. None will be able to hinder the advancement of the nation,” Sheikh Hasina said.

A total of 222 persons were given Bangabandhu Fellowship for their post graduate studies in science and technology at home and abroad for the period from July 2010 to December 2016 while 1343 students and researchers were awarded NST Fellowship in 2014-2015.

Besides, donations were given to 73 students and researchers in the category of ‘Technology Innovation and Research and development Project’, 62 organizations working with science and 35 private secondary and higher secondary schools this year. Special donation was given to 330 scientists and researchers to encourage them in scientific research.

State Minister for Science and Technology Yafez Osman presided over the function while chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Science and Technology Dr Ruhal Haq and secretary of the ministry Khandakar Asaduzzaman also spoke on the occasion.