New York: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received UN award for Bangladesh government’s outstanding role in reducing country’s child mortality rate under a universally set target.

The Prime Minister received the award at a colourful ceremony at a hotel here on Sunday afternoon (local time).

After the programme, Prime Minister`s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad at a news briefing told journalists that the PM received the award on behalf of Bangladesh for the country’s achievements in reducing children’s death rate by 50 percent.
 
Bangladesh and five other countries were honoured with the prestigious award a day prior to the high-profile Millennium Development Goal (MDG) conference on the sidelines of the 65th UN General Assembly.

After receiving the award, the premier thanked all concerned for nominating Bangladesh for the award and said, “This achievement would encourage Bangladesh to attain the goals of the MDGs by 2015.”
 
The award is given every 10 years for attaining success in eight areas.

Sheikh Hasina was present at the same programme organized 10 years ago as Bangladesh Prime Minister in her previous tenure.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Akramul Qader and Bangladesh Permanent Resident Representative to the UN MA Momen welcomed the PM at JFK Airport on her arrival in the US city.

Meanwhile, opposition faithful in the United States, who took position outside the airport wearing black badges, locked into chase and counter-chase with the Awami League activists.

“They also pounced on each other in fisticuffs, creating panic among the onlookers,” says a spot account of the encounter between the Bangladeshi inveterate political rivals on the foreign land.  

Later, the Prime Minister went to the Grand Hyatt Hotel, without holding meeting with her overseas party leaders, amid tight security arranged for the dignitary.

BDST: 1240 HRS, SEP 20, 2010