The Dhaka Times Desk The newly elected President Advocate Abdul Hamid sought prayers from the countrymen to relieve the tiredness. In a reception organized on the occasion of Independence Award-2013, in the speech of the chief guest, the newly elected President Abdul Hamid wished to congratulate everyone.
Acting Speaker Colonel (retd) Shaukat Ali presided over the function, the newly appointed President further said, "I have been given this great responsibility at an untimely and tiring time." I don't know how to honor this responsibility. That's why I pray to the countrymen including parliamentarians. He said in Bednavidhu's voice with tears in his eyes, I don't want to leave this parliament. It will be difficult for me to leave this Parliament.
He also said, I have come to the office of the President at an untimely time. For this he sought the advice and cooperation of Jatiya Party Chairman and former President HM Ershad.
The President said, Parliament is my soulmate. Even though my residence is Bangabhavan, I will come to Parliament more often. You cannot criticize it. He said, I could not have imagined that the responsibility of late Zilsnur Rahman would fall on me. In spite of my incompetence I have been entrusted with this great responsibility.
Addressing the officers and employees of the Parliament, the President said, My door will always be open for you, you will come to me. I will try to do something for you. He said, I have suffered myself but I have not wasted the Parliament's money. I was miserly, that's why members of parliament called me a miser. Instead, I took it with a smile. But I spent a lot of money during my student life.
The newly elected president said, I have given 3-4 crores to the finance ministry which other speakers could not get. He claimed that I have been able to remove 75 percent corruption from the Parliament.
The reception started at 12:17 PM on Tuesday at the LD Hall of the Sangsad Bhavan with recitation of Holy Quran, Gita, Tripitaka, Bible. The reception was scheduled to take place on April 24.
Member of Parliament Asaduzzaman Noor read out the Freedom Medal at the ceremony. He was presented with a crest and a medal of honor before the President's speech. It is to be noted that Abdul Hamid, Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad, was awarded the Independence Medal on March 25 for his contribution to the Liberation War.
Acting Speaker Colonel Shaukat Ali, LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Jatiya Party Chairman Hussain Md spoke on behalf of the members of Parliament. Ershad, Government Party Chief Whip Deputy Chairman Abdus Shahid, Awami League Advisory Council Member Tofail Ahmed, Minister Without Office Surunjit Sen Gupta, Main Uddin Khan Badal, Whip Sagupta Yasmin Emily. Besides, ministers and parliamentarians were present in the event. (Courtesy: Bangladesh News24.com)
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