Addressing the function in the evening, Khaldea expressed the hope that the national life would soon bounce back into vibrancy overcoming the losses and afflictions inflicted by floods.

Normal life will be restored soon at every locality of the country weathering the adversities, the prime minister observed, adding calamity and disaster occur here, but these fail to daunt the resilient countrymen.

This is Bangladesh, and this is the real identify of people of this country. "So alongside relief operation, today I have come to inaugurate a new modern architecture," she told her audience.

Khaleda said the flooding is leaving a trail of devastation in its wake, adding this time the flood-affected people are going through limitless sufferings. Yet, she said, the degree of courage and determination seen among them impressed her very much.

The prime minister appealed to the well-off section of the society, including Basundhara Group, to assist the people in their plight. She also expected their all-out co-operation in post-flood rehabilitation and reconstruction work.

By pressing an electric button, the premier formally opened the 20-storey Basundhara City which boasts of an array of modern facilities.

The arcade has 1,500 shops including 100 foodcourts, 200 security personnel, parking capacity of 1,000 cars, 90 close circuit TVs, no-smoking zone, 21 lifts operating round the clock, 65 escalators and central air-conditioning. Besides, there are two gymnasiums, a swimming pool, three movie halls, modern fire-extinguishing equipment, amusement park, bank and moneychanger.

At the function Basundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbor Sobhan said the shopping complex would create employment opportunities for around 30,000 people.

Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman and Housing and Public Works Minister Mirja Abbas also addressed the function.