Dhaka: President Abdul Hamid on Saturday underscored the need for promoting democratic values and non-communal spirit to ensure unhindered march forward of the country’s democracy.

‘Autocracy, militarism, rise of militancy have hindered our development and advancement time and again. Communalism, superstition, terrorism and militancy are still hindering the country’s democratic march forward. Democratic values and non-communal spirit have to be promoted to overcome these problems,’ he said.

The President said this while addressing the award distribution ceremony of ‘28th Mahboobullah Award’ organised by Begum Zebunnessa and Kazi Mahboobullah Janakalyan Trust at Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka, reports UNB.

Abdul Hamid said the sense of humanity needs to be flourished in education, literature and culture. ‘Various social service-oriented organisations need to come forward in this regard apart from the government. Only then good sense will prevail in society which will help build a good and human society.’

People live through their works, and it is the work that makes people immortal, observed the President adding that broadening the mind is needed apart from nurturing human spirit by all.

‘There’re many wealthy people in our society. They have no lack of money. They lead a lavish life. I urge them to contribute to social development, including the expansion of education in their respective areas being responsible to the country and the nation...Come forward to serve the distressed people...contribute to developing the lifestyle of poor people by creating income-generating opportunities for them. Then the people of your area will remember you and your contributions, ‘ he added.

President Hamid went on saying, ‘Real happiness can be gained through self-dedication to the welfare of humanity. The help of any individual is needed for the rise of a person in life. The people of my area have immense contributions towards taking me the one who I’m today. They had made me member of parliament for seven times.’

Prof Dr Syed Manzoorul Islam (literature), Rafiqun Nabi (Fine Arts), Bangladesh Agricultural University (Science-Agriculture) and Sultana Kamal (lifetime achievement) received awarded at the programme.

Local Government, Rural Development and CooperativesMinister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique,Begum Zebunnessa and Kazi Mahbubullah Janakallayan Trust chairman Zobaida Mahbub Latif and member of the trust Prof Kazi Shahidullah also spoke on the occasion.