"The government has been doing its best to improve the socio-economic condition of the people and it has given top priority to expansion of education and alleviation of poverty," he said while he was inaugurating the 31st International Area Forum of Lion clubs at Sonargaon Hotel here.

The Lion members, he said, can supplement the government activities in such fields and thus help build a self-reliant Bangladesh.

State Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources A K M Mosharraf Hossain and president of the International Association of Lions Clubs Dr Tae Sup "TS" Lee also addressed the inaugural session of the conference attended by more than 500 foreign and local delegates from 54 countries.

The president praised the humanitarian activities of the Lions clubs across the globe and noted that having 1.5 million members all over the world, the organisation has been given a "consultative status" in the United Nations in recognition of its services.

He said in Bangladesh, over 12 thousand Lion and Leo member have been working to mitigate the sufferings of the distressed people through operating programmes like eye-camps and carrying out relief and rehabilitation activities at a time of natural calamities and disasters.

"I assure you that we shall continue to extend our support in the days to come. I hope that the Lions International President and other Senior Lion leaders, during their visit to Bangladesh, will discuss with local Lion leaders about new programmes of public interest," he said.

But he particularly urged the Lions clubs to take programmes to make the people aware about the benefit of education saying, "this will be a great service to the people and the nation since education is the backbone of a nation."