Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday advised youths to use their talents in creating employment opportunities instead of seeking jobs, expecting the “Mujib Year” to be marked for generating employment for all.

“It will not be wise to sit idle awaiting jobs . . . you (youths) have to be capable enough to create employment opportunities instead of running after jobs,” she said while distributing the National Youth Award, 2019 at her office in the capital.

The premier asked the youths to utilize their innovative ideas, talents, efficiency and strengths for expanding the country’s job market.

Sheikh Hasina handed over awards to 22 self-employed youths and five youth organisers in recognition to their contributions towards generating employment for themselves and others.

As many as 445 self-employed youths and organisers have so far been awarded with the accolade since its inception from 1986.

The premier came with the opinion that none will remain jobless in the country if the youths have self-confidence and self dignity.

She said that youths should develop themselves with a mindset of not running after the jobs rather to generate employments as the government has set a target that none will remain unemployed marking the “Mujib Year”.

The premier added: “(Think) what should you (youths) do for yourselves and for others and bear in the mind that you will not do any job rather to create employment for others.”

In this context, she said, “There was a mindset in our country that one will be treated as unemployed as he didn’t do jobs.”

Referring to some examples, she said the people of the country still do not think that freelancing is a job despite the freelancers can earn huge money.

“This mindset should be changed,” she opined.

She asked the youths to capitalize the multilateral scopes which have been created by her government for generating employment and promised to do everything for the youths.

The premier simultaneously called upon the youths to stay away from terrorism, militancy, narcotics and corruption, saying, “You should prevent the menaces. We have to build a secured society where the people can live peacefully and can take the country forward further.”

State Minister for Youth and Sports Md. Zahid Ahsan Russel presided over the function, while Youth and Sports Secretary Md. Akhter Hossain delivered the welcome speech.

Director General of the Department of Youth Development Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir was also on the dais.

Engineer Md Atikur Rahman, who secured the award as the country’s best successful self-employed youth, and Parveen Akter, who received the award as the country’s best youth organizer under the women category, spoke on the occasion on behalf of the recipients.

Atikur of Kalai Upazila in Joypurhat developed a fisheries and livestock farm after getting trainings from the local office of the Department of the Youth Development.

Now the capital of his farm stands at over Taka 5 crore and some 115 workers are now employed in the farm.