Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the members of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP to discharge their duties with utmost sincerity and courage to protect public life and property.

The prime minister was addressing the 36th National Rally of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) at Yead Ali Parade Ground at Ansar-VDP Academy in Shafipur.

Hasina hoped that the members of this force will remain worthy partners and extend support in the future, as they did in the past, in turning Bangladesh into a poverty- and illiteracy-free middle-income country by 2021 and a modern technology-based prosperous and developed country by 2041.

The premier handed over Bangladesh Ansar Medal (Bravery) to three Ansar personnel, President Ansar Medal (Bravery) to seven, Bangladesh VDP Medal (Bravery) posthumously to one, Bangladesh Ansar Medal (Services) to six, Bangladesh VDP Medal (Services) to six VDP members, President Ansar Medal (Services) to 37 Ansar personnel, and President VDP Medal (Services) to 19 VDP members. She also gave 17 gold medals, 25 silver medals and 21 bronze medals to the members of Bangladesh Ansar for their special contribution towards maintaining law and order situation and recovering arms. 

Special awards were also given to 40 Ansar personnel for their special contribution towards maintaining law and order and arms recovery.

Terming Bangladesh Ansar & VDP a force that belongs to the common people, Hasina said this force has immense importance, being the country's biggest and grass root force.