Navy to be made tri-dimensional sea power

Khaleda, also in charge of the Defence Ministry, said that her previous regime had taken various steps to that end, and this time also her government would do the best, including procuring new ships and replacing old ones, to modernise and expand the naval force.

She was addressing the President Winter Parade 2004 of Bangladesh Navy on the occasion of the passing out of midshipman naval cadets at the parade ground of Bangladesh Naval Academy at Patenga in the port city.

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Visiting Royal Malaysian Navy Chief Admiral Datuk Mohammad Anwar Bin Haji Noor and his wife were present on the occasion. Khaleda thanked them for attending the ceremony.

A spectacular parade was also witnessed, among others, by ministers, MPs, heads of different diplomatic missions in Dhaka, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, high civil and military officials and guardians of the midshipmen.

Khaleda said already five offshore patrol-vessels, two high-speed PKM boats and two tugboats had been added to the naval fleet to augment its power in view of the significance of the naval force in protecting marine resources.

Mentioning various efforts and contribution by the naval force, apart from performing professional responsibilities and duties, she said the members of the navy are also keeping contribution to the national economy.

The prime minister congratulated them on their showing professional excellence at home and abroad through standing beside helpless people during natural disaster as well as participating in UN peacekeeping mission.

And the Bangladesh Naval Academy is playing an "important role in rearing skilled cadets and officers, and the reputation of this academy is increasing gradually through imparting training to cadets of various countries," she told the function.

Rear Admiral Shah Iqbal Muztaba received the PM at the Parade ground in a ceremonial motorcade of the Bangladesh Navy.

Khaleda witnessed the smartly turned-out parade and took salute at the impressive march past.

She also distributed trophies and other awards among the midshipmen for their outstanding performance in academic and professional disciplines. Sixteen naval midshipmen were commissioned into Acting Sub Lieutenant.

Midshipman Margia Islam was adjudged the best all-round midshipman and awarded the coveted "Sword of Honour" while midshipman Kamrul Hasan got the "Osmani Gold Medal" and midshipman M Kamruzzaman received the Gold Medal of the Chief of Naval Staff.