Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has received the salute of the Winter Presidential Parade of Midshipman 2019 / A Batch and Direct Entry Officer 2021 / B Batch held at Bangladesh Naval Academy through video teleconference.
During the parade on Monday (20 December), a total of 44 young officers including 36 midshipmen and 8 direct entry officers of the Bangladesh Navy received commissions. Among them are 5 female midshipmen and 2 female direct entry officers.
During the parade, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal on behalf of the Prime Minister handed over the medals to the highest achievers in various fields. Among the newly commissioned Midshipman 2019 / A batch Md. Mohtasim Sifat achieved the highest standard in all subjects and got the ‘Sword of Honour’ as the smartest midshipman. Besides, Midshipman Alif Abdullah received the ‘Naval Chief Gold medal’ for acquiring the 2nd highest standard in the training. And direct entry officer 2021 / B Batch Acting Sub Lieutenant Md. Abdul Momin won the ‘Bir Shrestha Shaheed Ruhul Amin Gold Medal’ for achieving the best result.
Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her speech via video teleconference, recalled with deep respect the contribution of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of independent Bangladesh, the father of the Bengali nation.
She noted that the present government has made practical plans to develop the navy as a force suited for the 21st century in the light of the defence policy formulated by the Father of the Nation after assuming office. These plans include practical plans for various infrastructural developments, the addition of warships, and the enhancement of the operational capacity of existing ships. The government has emphasized various activities of Blue-Economy with the aim of protecting maritime boundaries and harnessing the sea’s resources for the economic development of the country. The Bangladesh Navy has already added a significant number of modern warships, submarines, helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft, and modern warfare equipment and technology.
The Prime Minister said that the new officers will make proper use of the knowledge acquired from the Naval Academy and develop themselves as competent officers and will be able to utilise this training in future careers and carry out their responsibilities properly on the path of national security and progress.
The ceremony was attended by Army, Navy, and Air Force officials, local dignitaries, and parents of the graduating students.
