Army chief flanked by two other chiefs of armed forces announces, pledges all-out support
A 15-member council of advisers of the interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, is set to be sworn in this evening to fill a three-day gap in power.
Army chief General Waker-Uz-zaman, flanked by the chiefs of two other defence services, made the announcement Wednesday and pledged all necessary support of the armed forces to the up-and-coming government being formed after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime.
“The interim government will take oath likely at 8 pm tomorrow,” General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced in a televised press conference on Wednesday evening.
The interim government will comprise 15 members, but the number may be changed later, he said.
The army chief, however, wouldn’t name the names of other members of the interim government.
Professor Yunus is set to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 2:10 pm today (Thursday) by Emirates flight (EK-582).
The anointed head of stop-gap government, meanwhile, sent in a call for all to eschew violence, stay calm and cooperate for building a “wonderful” country.
In the statement, released through the Yunus Centre on Wednesday evening prior to his arrival in the country, he said: “I congratulate the brave students who took the lead in making our Second Victory Day possible and the people for giving your total support to them.”
He adds: “Let us make the best use of our new victory. Let us not let this slip away because of our mistakes. I fervently appeal to everybody to stay calm. Please refrain from all kinds of violence. I appeal to all students, members of all political parties and non-political people to stay calm. This is our beautiful country with lots of exciting possibilities. We must protect and make it a wonderful country for us and for our future generations.”
The microcredit pioneer praises youth vigour that is vital for building up the cherished beautiful and prosperous Bangladesh, while calling for halt to rampages.
“Our youth is ready to give this leadership in creating a new world. Let us not miss the chance by going into any senseless violence. Violence is our enemy. Please don’t create more enemies. Be calm and get ready to build the country,” he said in his appeal.
“If we take the path of violence, everything will be destroyed. Please stay calm. Help those around you to stay calm.”
Dr Yunus has been chosen to be the chief of interim government on a unanimous endorsement by different political parties as the coordinators of the student movement sought to have him at the helm of the interim government that would clear the decks for holding the next general election in a fair manner.
People from all walks of life, including politicians and civil-society members, have welcomed the decision picking Prof Yunus as the head of government on the cusp of transition in state power.
They hold the hope that he would lead the country to ensure a stable democracy and foster economic development of the country.
The Nobel-laureate economist is the proponent of both social business and microcredit, the founder of Grameen Bank and of more than 50 other companies in Bangladesh.
For his constant innovation and enterprise, the Fortune Magazine named Professor Yunus in March 2012 as “one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time”.
In 2006, Professor Yunus and Grameen Bank were jointly awarded Nobel Peace Prize.
Also to his credit are 55 honorary degrees from universities across 20 countries.
He has received 112 awards from 26 countries, including state honours from 10 countries.
He is one of only seven individuals to have received the Nobel for peace, the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom and the United States Congressional Gold Medal.
Other notable awards include the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1984), World Food Prize (1998), The Prince of Asturias Award for Concord (1998), Sydney Peace Prize (1998) and the Seoul Peace Prize (2006).
Back at home in Bangladesh, he got President’s Award in 1978 for introducing an innovative organisation in agriculture.
He was awarded the Independence Day Award in 1987 by the President of Bangladesh for his outstanding contribution in rural development. This is the highest civilian national award of Bangladesh.
Professor Yunus was chosen by Wharton School of Business as one of ‘The 25 Most influential Business Persons of the Past 25 Years’.
Asia Week (Hong Kong) selected him as one of ‘Twenty Great Asians (1975-1995).” Ananda Bazaar Patrika of India selected Professor Yunus as one of “Ten Great Bengalis of the Century (1900-1999).”
In 2006, Time Magazine listed the professor under “60 years of Asian Heroes” as one of the top 12 business leaders.
In 2008, in an open online poll, Yunus was voted 2nd topmost intellectual person in the world on the list of Top 100 Public Intellectuals by Prospect Magazine (UK) and Foreign Policy (United States).
His cup his full with accolades-in 2010, The New Statesman (UK) listed him as one of “The World’s 50 Most Influential Figures”.
He appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Colbert Report, Real Time with Bill Maher, Hardtalk on BBC and The Simpsons.
Financial Times chose Professor Muhammed Yunus as one of six Finance Pioneers. In the March 31, 2015 issue in an article entitled “Business Pioneers in Finance” Professor Yunus was placed alongside Warren Buffett, Amadeo Giannini, Henry Kravis, J.P Morgan, and Mayer Amschel Rothschild as greatest business- finance pioneers of all time.
He has appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, Newsweek and Forbes Magazine.
source: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/interim-govt-takes-oath-this-evening
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