<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon the Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) to be "true friend" of the coastal people by establishing guardianship at the sea.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"The motto of the force (BCG) is 'Guardian at Sea' which means to establish yourself as true friend of the coastal people," she said while addressing 28th founding anniversary function of the BCG and the BCG Day-2023 at the Coast Guard Headquarters in capital's Sher-e-Banglanagar.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The premier highly praised the Coast Guard personnel as they are standing beside the innocent and helpless people in the coastal belts by warding off many criminal acts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said her government has been working to transform the Coast Guard into a modern and up-to-date force with knowledge of information technology.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"We want our Coast Guard to be built as a developed and powerful force with knowledge of modern information technology," she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prime minister said her government has launched Bangabandhu Satellite-1 to orbit, adding that a groundbreaking change has been made in the coast guard's communication system by establishing its connection with the satellite.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"We can ensure our security using the digital system, (with establishing the satellite connection)," she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prime minister also unveiled a newly constructed establishment of the BCG at Lakshimpur by pressing a button.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and BCG Director General (DG) Rear Admiral Ashraful Hoq Chowdhury were present at the function.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the ceremony, the prime minister handed over Bangladesh Coast Guard medals to several BCG personnel including its director general in recognition of their glorious contribution to the force as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the outset of the programme, a smartly turned out contingent of the Bangladesh Coast Guard also gave a state-salute to the premier.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A short video documentary on Coast Guard's activities was screened. BSS</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>