Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that the youth are the vital force of any nation and the principal driving force behind its progress, stressing their undeniable contribution to building an independent and sovereign Bangladesh, overcoming national crises and advancing the country’s development.
“Young people have played a significant role in the country’s journey from independence to overcoming challenges and achieving development,” he said in a message issued today marking National Youth Day 2026, to be observed on Sunday.
The premier recalled that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the Proclaimer of Independence, took initiatives to organise the youth for nation-building, recognising their immense potential.
Under his directives, the Ministry of Youth Development was established in 1978, later renamed the Ministry of Youth and Sports, he said.
The Department of Youth Development was established in 1981 to implement youth development activities at the grassroots level, he said.
The prime minister also recalled that former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia initiated the establishment of youth training centres in all districts in 1991 to expand employment opportunities and provide technical and practical training to young people, helping them become self-reliant.
He said the Department of Youth Development has so far provided skill development training of different durations to more than 80 lakh young people.
Of them, around 25 lakh have become self-employed, earning between Tk20,000 and Tk100,000 per month, and in some cases even more.
