Hiren Pandit

The government has to do more with price increases and inflation. Low-income people and common people are suffering due to unbridled prices of daily necessities. There is no end to people's expectations. However, people's expectations from the Awami League are more than any other party. People expect humane values, democracy, civil rights, and people involved in running the country. When expectations are high, there is some talk of disappointment. Disappointment occurs when there is a gap between expectations and achievements. To overcome disappointment, one must stay close to human expectations. Bangladesh Awami League gave the nation an independent country. It has given many development gifts.

However, the nation's expectations from the Awami League are much higher than this. Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina is now leading this party. There is a lot of development going on in the country, many mega projects are being implemented and the government has handled the coronavirus pandemic well and very efficiently. Apart from this, there are many other positive achievements. But in some cases, there is a shortfall in meeting the expectations of the people. Many have complained that many of the party's leaders have distanced themselves from the grassroots workers after 15 years in power.
Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina has been leading this party for almost 42 years. She organized the party and brought it to power by facing various crises and conspiracies. She knows and understands not only the party but the people of the entire country. Party leaders and workers at all levels have immense trust and faith in her. We hear about corruption in various sectors. Awami League must take steps to eliminate financial irregularities. Bangabandhu's commitment to stand as a more dignified nation, continue democratic progress and build a democratic society, especially in these three areas, we are a little far from expectations.

This position has to be filled according to people's expectations and it is not possible that another party will come and change everything overnight. However, the gap between expectations and achievements remains. It is about social and human dignity; It's about selection. The government is working on these issues. The government will fulfill the expectations of the people and try to eliminate these problems. Awami League is a big party. From that point of view, some distance has been created between civil society, intellectuals, journalists, teachers, the middle class, and working people within the Awami League.

This distance must be removed. Many people complain by saying that Bangabandhu's Awami League is more distant from the people than the current Awami League. The dedicated leaders are on the back foot. Now the dominance is in the hands of businessmen, former bureaucrats and new Awami Leaguers. But many people may repentance it. But everything has to be judged in terms of the current situation. In the current era of information technology and people from all walks of life including former government officials, and businessmen with experience playing a role in the administration of the state are associated with Awami League, it can be said an assurance that it is playing a positive role in the management of the country. However, if these various trends can be coordinated, it will be good for Awami League in the future and Awami League will be able to make a more important contribution to public service. TCB products are sold in different areas. It is positive that the government is trying to supply goods at lower prices. But when you see a long line, its situation needs a deeper look.

The increase in commodity prices should be kept within the purchasing power of the common man at any cost. Awami League president Sheikh Hasina said, "If you work, there will be criticism, there will be conspiracies, but the leaders and workers of Awami League must unite and move forward against those conspiracies." Highlighting various development activities of the government, Sheikh Hasina reiterated Awami League's plan to build a Smart Bangladesh in the coming days. Bangladesh will not go backward, Bangladesh will go forward, and we will fulfill the dream of the Father of the Nation.

Awami League made the Election Commission completely independent. Earlier, the Election Commission did not have financial capacity. It was all kept with the Prime Minister's Office, which we handed over from the Prime Minister's Office to the Election Commission. Arrangements have been made to pay them directly from the budget so that they can work independently.' Highlighting her position against corruption, Sheikh Hasina mentioned, 'My father was the president, he was the prime minister. I am a four-time prime minister. Our family does not need to be corrupt. We have come to give to the people of the country. I dedicate myself to people, we come to give not to take. Today we are moving fast after overcoming all the problems. There were obstacles in between, the Corona pandemic, and then the Russia-Ukraine war started. We don't want war, we don't want sanctions. All countries are independent. They have the right to move freely. All countries should have this right. War harms people, we know the horrors of war. '

Despite the global challenges, the current per capita income of Bangladesh is 2765 US dollars. As Bangladesh celebrates its golden jubilee of independence, the country has been elevated to advanced status. Awami League as organizations stand by the people in any disaster. Because this is Awami League and this is the teaching of Awami League. The government led by Awami League president Sheikh Hasina has completed 15 years of three consecutive terms. At this time, the success and achievements of the government are not less. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the country's liberation war. Awami League celebrated 50 years of independence of the country while in power and Bangabandhu's birth centenary is celebrated as Mujib Barsha. Opponents of the government have been constantly complaining about the lack of democracy in the country.

On the other hand, there is no question about the incredible development of the country. Facing the challenge of maintaining political stability in Bangladesh during the global crisis and managing the country very well. After an incredible victory in the 11th National Parliament Elections, he came to power for the third time in a row and formed a new government with a bunch of new faces. Before the 12th Parliamentary elections, the people of the country must sit down to compare their achievements. What did Bangladesh get in Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule? Elevated expressway inaugurated. The Bangabandhu Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram has been inaugurated. Bangladesh has also declared its position in space. Bangabandhu's satellite launch added a new dimension to our science and technology.

The enclave exchange agreement between these two countries has changed the map of Bangladesh and India. Inauguration of Metrorail and Padma Bridge are both development milestones. Successfully combating the coronavirus pandemic, education, communication infrastructure, gas, electricity, women's education, 100% increase in salary of employees, health care, achieving self-sufficiency in food production, support of disadvantaged communities, helpless, elderly, widows, persons with disabilities, divorced women under social safety net programs. Free new books in the hands of students on the first day of the year, mainstreaming and recognizing Madrasa education, establishing medical universities and modernizing medical systems, initiatives to establish universities in every district, women's policy formulation and women's empowerment, building digital Bangladesh and achieving a revolution in the ICT sector, making Bangladesh top in South Asia with outstanding success in combating the corona pandemic.

According to the information from the election manifesto prepared by the Awami League for the 11th National Parliament elections, about one-third of the total population of the country is youth. Now employment needs to be created for this huge working population. According to the manifesto, the Awami League government should reform the traditional education system to ensure the expected employment of the youth. However institutional fragility needs to be addressed. Government institutions should provide quality services. Regular monitoring of services to ensure that quality of work is being done. Technical education and non-formal training should be seriously considered outside the continuing stream of general education expansion.

Along with the export of labor-dependent human resources abroad, the issue of sending skilled workers must also be seriously considered. It will be difficult to strike a balance without creating employment pathways based on the skills and qualifications of the youth. Highly educated and highly skilled youth should think about job creation abroad. The quality of engineering, science, technology, and agriculture education needs to be made more dynamic and timelier to develop quality and skilled human resources to compete in the global market.

At the same time 'Skill Development Center' should be set up for general university students. Last year, the eighth five-year plan for the period 2021-25 was approved the estimated cost of implementation of was estimated at 64 lakh 95 thousand 980 crores. At this time, a target of 1 crore 16 lakh 70 thousand employment has been set. After the implementation of the eighth five-year plan, the poverty rate will come down to 15.6 percent and the extreme poverty rate will come down to 7.4 percent. Last year, the GDP growth rate in 2025 will be 8.51 percent. The world today is full of praise for Bangladesh due to its enviable progress. Bangladesh is called the role model of development. Bangladesh is progressing in various global indices.

Naturally, the people of the country will get positive results by comparing the accounts of three consecutive terms including these five years. The leaders and workers of the party should move forward with new challenges, and make the party more modern and stronger in the next elections. These words came from the mouths of grassroots leaders. However, the people will say how much the Awami League has been able to fulfill the expectations of the people. But let the relentless effort go on. May everyone's hopes move forward, and may Bangabandhu's dream of Sonar Bangla be developed.

The writer is a, columnist and researcher