Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged everyone to work together for upholding the country's dignity and making it a poverty and hunger-free nation.

The PM made the call while inaugurating the newly built State Toshakhana Museum (state depository) near Bangabandhu Military Museum on Bijoy Sarani in Dhaka.

She said during her government's tenure over the last 10 years, living standards of people have improved. “We want to improve the quality of life further,” she said.

“We are aspiring to celebrate the golden jubilee of independence through freeing the country from poverty and hunger, and Bangladesh would be a developed nation by 2041,” she said.

The five-storey state depository spanning 50,000 square feet area was constructed under the supervision of Bangladesh Army at a cost of about Taka 80 crore.

All gifts received by the president, prime minister, ministers and officials in their official capacity should be deposited to the Toshakhana under the supervision and maintenance of the Cabinet Division.

Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed, PM's Principal Secretary Md. Nozibur Rahman, PM's Military Secretary Major General Mia Muhammad Joynul Abedin and Engineering Chief of Bangladesh Army Major General Siddiqur Rahman Sarkar also spoke on the occasion.

Bangabandhu's younger daughter Sheikh Rehana, cabinet members, PM's advisors, members of diplomatic corps, chiefs of the three services and senior civil and military officials attended the function chaired by Cabinet Secretary Md. Shafiul Alam.

Laying importance on proper preservation of all gifts received by the state dignitaries at home and abroad, the prime minister said all those gifts are state property and carry dignity and honour. So they should be properly preserved, she said.

Sheikh Hasina lamented that many gifts, documents inscribed with her name and the “boat” (election symbol of Awami League) and many rare photographs were destroyed during the BNP-Jamaat regime.

The PM thanked officials of the cabinet division, defence ministry and Bangladesh Army for their sincere work to complete the construction of the museum ahead of the schedule.