Let's make Bangladesh wonderful for future generations: Muhammad Yunus

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who is set to lead the upcoming interim government, has urged people to make Bangladesh a wonderful country for future generations, saying that the country's youth are ready to lead in creating a new world.

In a statement issued on Wednesday (7 August), he also called upon everyone to refrain from violence.

He will take oath as the chief adviser to the interim government at 8pm Thursday (8 August), Army chief General Waker-uz-Zaman said on Wednesday evening.

Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on an Emirates flight at 2:10pm at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport today, reads a press statement issued by Yunus Centre, the global hub for social business dedicated to sharing his vision.

He will be welcomed by the Army Chief, with the Chiefs of the Air and Naval Forces also expected to attend.

Yunus' wife and daughter will be present at the airport as well.

Following his arrival, Yunus and his family will be transported to either the State Guest House Padma or the Hotel Intercontinental, where he will rest and meet with officials.

He will arrive at Bangabhaban in the evening to take the oath as chief adviser. The advisors of the interim government will also take oath, although their names have not yet been announced.

Yunus was in France for a minor medical procedure.

According to the Army Chief, the interim government led by Yunus will be composed of 15 members.

"However, the number can change later," he said while responding to a query from journalists during a televised press conference on Wednesday evening.

The interim government will be formed to fill the political vacuum created by the fall of the Awami League government in face of mass protests on Monday.

Muhammad Yunus was chosen to be the chief adviser of the upcoming interim government in a meeting between a 13-member team of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement leadership with President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the chiefs of three military forces on Tuesday night.

Earlier, the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, who organised the protests that led to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina, announced their preference for Muhammad Yunus as the chief adviser of the interim government.

'Let's make best use of new victory'

In his statement, Muhammad Yunus congratulated "the brave students" for their role in making "our Second Victory Day possible" and also praised the people for their wholehearted support of the students.

"Let us make the best use of our new victory.  Let us not let this slip away because of our mistakes. Please refrain from all kinds of violence," he also said.

He called on all students, members of all political parties and non-political people to stay calm.

"This is our beautiful country with lots of exciting possibilities. We must protect and make it a wonderful country for us and for our future generations," said Yunus.

"Our youth is ready to give this leadership in creating a new world. Let us not miss the chance by going into any senseless violence.  Violence is our enemy.  Please don't create more enemies. Be calm and get ready to build the country," he urged.

"If we take the path of violence everything will be destroyed. Please stay calm. Help those around you to stay calm," said Dr Yunus.

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Labour Appellate Tribunal on Wednesday overturned the six-month jail sentence of Yunus in a case filed over the violation of the labour law.

The tribunal has also acquitted the Nobel laureate in the case, Yunus' lawyer Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun confirmed to The Business Standard.

Judge MA Awal of the tribunal passed the order after a hearing on an appeal on Wednesday .