Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the members of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP to motivate rural people to receive the Covid-19 vaccine to eliminate the pandemic.

"I would like to ask you [Ansar and VDP personnel] to motivate rural people to get vaccinated so that all the people of Bangladesh get protection from the global coronavirus pandemic. Our efforts to this end will continue," she said.

The PM was addressing the 41st National Rally of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP at its academy in Shafipur of Gazipur. She joined the event virtually from the Gono Bhaban.

Noting that the Covid-19 inoculation programme has already started in the country, Hasina asked every member of the Ansar and VDP to encourage every person to get vaccinated in due time. "Many people are even afraid of injection [getting the shot]."

She said the government has taken measures so that people can get vaccinated in time alongside following health protocol. "We seek your [Ansar and VDP] cooperation in this regard."

The premier said people can get registered to get the shot going to digital centres nearby. She urged all to be sincere so that they along with their family members take the vaccine.

She described the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP as the country's largest public-oriented disciplined force.

Hasina asked the force members to continue their special role in protecting the country's young generation from drugs, militancy and terrorism. "I would like to ask you to pay special attention so that our children do not slip into a wrong path."

Mentioning that the members of the Ansar and VDP always stand beside people, she said the force members fully reined in the arson attacks unleashed by the BNP-Jamaat clique.

The PM said her previous government had started modernising the Ansar after taking office in 1996.

She cited various activities taken by her government, including modernisaiton of promotion and posting systems and trainings, introduction of ration facilities, a separate uniform, medals (for recognition of performance), and making service permanent.

Recalling Ansar's contributions to every movement, Hasina said its commander Abdur Jabbar was martyred in the 1952 Language Movement and its 70 personnel made their supreme sacrifice in the Liberation War in 1971.

At the function, the PM took the salute from a spectacular parade of the Ansarand VDP members.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, on behalf of the premier, handed special medals to 140 Ansar and VDP members under eight categories in recognition of their bravery and praiseworthy services.

Senior Secretary to Public Security Division Mostafa Kamal Uddin also spoke at the function.