Youth are the primary driving force of national progress: Prime Minister

Bangla  Press Desk: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has stated that the youth represent the lifeblood of any nation and serve as the primary driving force behind its progress. The contribution of the youth to the establishment of an independent and sovereign Bangladesh, the overcoming of national crises, and the country’s developmental journey is undeniable.

He made these remarks in a message issued on Saturday, ahead of National Youth Day 2026, which will be observed tomorrow, November 1st.

The Prime Minister noted that the nation’s youth have played a pivotal role—from the attainment of independence to navigating various crises and advancing the country’s development.

He recalled that the late President Ziaur Rahman, recognizing the immense potential of the youth in nation-building, took the initiative to organize them. Under his directive, the Ministry of Youth Development was established in 1978, which was later renamed the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

He mentioned that the Department of Youth Development was established in 1981 to implement youth development initiatives at the grassroots level.

The Prime Minister further recalled that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, in 1991, initiated the establishment of youth training centers in every district of the country, aiming to expand employment opportunities for the youth and empower them to become self-reliant through technical and practical training.

He stated that the Department of Youth Development has, to date, provided skill-development training of varying durations to over 8 million young men and women. Among them, approximately 2.5 million have achieved self-reliance through self-employment, earning between 20,000 and 100,000 Taka per month—and in some cases, even more.

The Prime Minister informed that, to support young entrepreneurs, youth loans totaling 2,861.87 crore Taka have been disbursed as of June 2026.

Describing the National Youth Award as a commendable initiative, he noted that 546 self-employed individuals and youth organizers have received this honor in recognition of their contributions to nation-building. He extended his congratulations to this year’s recipients.

The Prime Minister emphasized that, alongside conventional education, acquiring technical and technological skills has become essential for the youth to remain competitive in today’s world. In an rapidly evolving global landscape, young people must equip themselves with modern knowledge and skills. She stated that immediately upon assuming office, the government initiated training programs focused on artificial intelligence (AI). Through freelancing and AI-related projects, trainees are not only acquiring new skills but also gaining opportunities to earn foreign currency by working online.

Highlighting the role of the youth in environmental conservation, the Prime Minister noted that young people are contributing to this cause by establishing biogas plants under the 'Impact' project.

She emphasized the need to launch further training programs in areas such as smart agriculture, export-oriented packaging and food processing, foreign language learning, and other emerging sectors with high potential. She expressed her hope that these initiatives would help cultivate a modern, skilled, and competitive workforce.

The Prime Minister urged the youth to dedicate themselves to national development by nurturing their talents, innovative capabilities, and technical skills.

She mentioned that the government has announced a startup fund of 500 crore Taka to support the innovative ventures of young people. This marks the first time a dedicated budget has been allocated for startups in the country, ensuring that promising initiatives do not fail due to a lack of funding.

Referring to the theme of National Youth Day 2026—"Skilled Youth Will Build the Nation, A Bangladesh for All"—the Prime Minister expressed her expectation that the youth will play an increasingly effective role in the country's development, leadership, and future progress.

She also wished for the overall success of all programs organized to mark National Youth Day 2026.

Bp/Sp