Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday called on the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) to act always in service and out of love for the country and its people. She made the call while attending the closing out parade of the BGB's 95th batch via video conference from her official residence Ganabhaban here, reports bdnews24.

"I will say this, we have to fulfill our responsibilities with the attitude to serve the country and the nation," she said.

"You must love the country and its people. You must work for people. Remember, the better this country is economically, the better off your families will be," the Prime Minister was quoted as saying.

Hasina, also the Awami League supremo, recalled the speech delivered by her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on December 5, 1974 while participating in the concluding parade of the border security force's third batch of recruits.

In that speech, Bangabandhu highlighted the 'great duty' that had been entrusted on them and said: "My order to you is to put an end to smuggling. I believe you can. I have faith in you. Remember that smugglers have no caste, no religion. They are beasts under the guise of human beings. They send the resources of this country abroad out of greed for a small amount of money."

Calling on the BGB personnel to abide by the directives given by the Father of the Nation, Hasina said: "I hope you will work with sincerity to protect our sovereignty, freedom as well as to prevent such misdeeds. Because these words are still relevant today."

BGB, the oldest uniformed force of Bangladesh, is entrusted with the responsibility to defend the 4,427 km border of the country.

(IANS)