Youth Must Contribute to Nation-Building, Not Just Political Revolution: President

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has emphasised the importance of making young people employment-oriented, describing them as the country’s primary driving force.

He said that bringing about change through political revolution alone would not be enough to move the country forward. Young people must also play an equally important role in nation-building.

He made the remarks while addressing a National Youth Day programme on Sunday morning, November 1.

The president said Bangladesh must focus on making its youth productive and placing the driving forces of production in their hands.

“We have struggled for so long to establish a democratic system in the country. Now our struggle is to build this country and build this nation,” he said.

Youth Are the Future of the Country

Highlighting the potential of young people, the president said that the largest segment of Bangladesh’s population consists of youth.

He described this as a demographic dividend, adding that Bangladesh could achieve significant success if this population segment were properly utilised.

Regarding Bangladesh’s preparation for graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, he said the country had been given an additional three years to develop the necessary capabilities to become a developing nation.

He stressed that young people would play the most significant role in building the country’s future.

Training and Financial Support Needed to Reduce Unemployment

Highlighting unemployment in his own locality, Mirza Fakhrul said many educated young people were struggling to find jobs.

He expressed concern that even people with postgraduate degrees were unable to secure employment, including positions such as cleaners.

He called for expanding the activities of the Department of Youth Development across the country.

According to him, training programmes, financial assistance and self-employment opportunities must be increased to make young people economically independent.

He also emphasised the need to provide financial support to small entrepreneurs rather than focusing primarily on large companies.

Calls for Employment-Oriented Education

The president stressed the need to make the country’s education system more employment-oriented and needs-based.

He noted that many students graduate from universities but remain unemployed, despite their parents selling land to finance their education.

He pointed out that although the number of colleges and universities has increased, vocational, technical and skill-based educational institutions remain comparatively limited.

He also highlighted the importance of sending skilled workers abroad, saying that a more qualified workforce would strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the international labour market and increase remittance earnings.

Emphasis on Parliamentary Politics

Speaking about the country’s political situation, the president said that struggles and movements had created an opportunity to establish a democratic system.

He urged political parties to make proper use of this opportunity and emphasised the importance of parliamentary politics.

He expressed the view that national problems should be addressed through parliament.

At the end of his speech, he urged young people not to lose hope.

“We must never become disappointed. We are not a nation of hopeless people. We always fight and struggle. We must continue this struggle to move forward,” he said.