Rohingya crisis deepening economic, environmental strain on Bangladesh: Army chief
The Army chief also pointed to border tensions, the Chattogram Hill Tracts insurgency and energy shortages among the country’s major challenges, calling for coordinated efforts to address them.
Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman today (20 August) said Rohingya crisis is putting major pressure on Bangladesh's environment and economy while drug trafficking, smuggling and various other crimes are also taking place.
The Army Chief came up with the remarks while addressing the closing ceremony of the Capstone Course at the National Defence College (NDC) auditorium in the city's Mirpur Cantonment in the afternoon.
Highlighting various challenges facing the country, he said Bangladesh is also facing border-related issues, various issues with neighbouring countries, insurgency in the Chattogram Hill Tracts and energy crisis.
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He said the course participants exchanged their experiences and expert knowledge on these issues, which would enrich them in their respective fields and enable them to play a significant role in addressing the country's challenges.
"Solving these problems is not possible in a single day," General Waker-Uz-Zaman said.
He said distinguished people are brought to the NDC at different times through such courses to enrich their knowledge and experiences while the courses also benefit from the participants' experiences.
He said experienced people taking part in the course can make important contributions to solving national problems and formulating policies and laws.
"You have been given hikmah (wisdom) and prudence by Allah. You are successful in your respective fields. Through this wisdom and experience, you can make important contributions to the development of the country," he said.
The Army Chief said 37 people from different professions participated in the NDC Capstone Course, describing the gathering of professors, doctors, judges, lawyers and professionals from various fields as a valuable convergence of experience.
He said the exchange of experiences among people from different professions and institutions enriched their mutual knowledge.
Thanking the NDC Commandant, faculty members and staff, General Waker-Uz-Zaman said the successful conduct of the course is an achievement of the institution.
He also highlighted the importance of friendship and mutual understanding developed among participants through the course.
The relations build up among people with different professions and experiences can create greater coordination and strength in the future.
"When people with different perspectives, experiences and expertise come together, a synergy is created," he said, adding that such bonds would help the nation move forward and contribute to the development of the country.
NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Md Faizur Rahman stressed the importance of continued dialogue and consensus-building on matters of national importance.
He expressed hope that the active and spontaneous participation of the fellows throughout the course, besides broadening their strategic understanding, would help build a strong national bond among leaders from different sectors.
The Capstone Course, an important training programme of the National Defence College, is designed to enhance strategic awareness, develop constructive thinking, strengthen inter-sectoral cooperation and build a common perspective on national security and development issues.
Senior military and civilian officials from the armed forces and various government and private organisations, NDC faculty members and other distinguished personalities attended the closing ceremony.
