President: Work with govt for local development

President M Abdul Hamid has urged social and professional organizations to work together with the government to ensure local development, and bring a social reform in the country. He made the above statement at a meeting organized by Greater Mymensingh Samity in Dhaka's Mirpur area on Saturday. The president asked the affluent quarter of the society to come forward and stand by the helpless and underprivileged people for their welfare. Highlighting the ongoing development works in greater Mymensingh and haor region, President Hamid said: "Different political parties have different politics, with differences in ideologies and opinions. But we should forge unity for development activities." Recalling the rich tradition and culture of Mymensingh region, he further urged industrialists and rich people, irrespective of their political party affiliation, to come forward for the development of the region. Mymensingh division started its journey in the sector due to the keenness of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the president said, adding: "Being an inhabitant of Mymensingh, I express my gratitude to the honourable prime minister and her government for her efforts." Mymensingh has huge trade and investment potential, and Greater Mymensingh Samity -- as an effective platform -- can play an important role to utilize that potential, he said. About the early flash flood that hit the country's haor region this year which massively damaged Boro paddy fields, President Hamid emphasized on the need for bringing a change in the lifestyle and livelihood of haor dwellers, and developing new varieties of flood-tolerant crops aiming to cope with the adverse affects of climate change. "The environment has changed rapidly, and that's why we must think in this regard," he said, underscoring the invention of sustainable technology, and its proper use to ensure local advancement and enhance the standard of people's living. At the outset of his speech, the president paid tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and other patriots who embraced martyrdom during the country's different democratic movements. Earlier, President Hamid inaugurated a six-storey building owned by Greater Mymensingh Samity. Chief Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Affairs at the Prime Minister's Office Md Abul Kalam Azad, political leaders and professionals of the region, and senior civil and military officials, among others, were present during the event.