Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday called upon all concerned, particularly politicians and noted personalities, who have personal collection of documents, books, photographs and video clips on Bangladesh history and heritage to deposit those with the National Archives as the nation's property.

She made the call while inaugurating the newly constructed modern building of Bangladesh National Archives at Agargaon in the city, saying that deposition of valuable personal collections and achievements as national wealth will prevent those getting lost in the absence of possessors.

“Many documents, books, photographs and even video clips related to history and heritage of Bangladesh remained with many as personal collections. Many politicians and noted personalities keep documents related to their personal experiences and achievements as diary and letter,” she told the inaugural function attended by ministers, MPs and celebrities of various professions.

Saying that the young generation is now passing through a critical

time, Khaleda said they will have to keep up quest for the country's own history and its roots of universal heritage in the perspective of globalisation.

She said the archive authorities will take initiative to introduce the new generation to the documents preserved in the national archive.

The new generation will have to be groomed from now on imbibed with the country's past glorious achievements so that they can build up a happy and prosperous Bangladesh, Khaleda said.

The PM said her government has taken many projects to prevent distortion of history and prepare an

objective history so that the future generations can know correct history of the nation.

And inauguration of the National Archives Bhaban is part of that continuous effort, she told the function.

She said Bangladesh has a glorious history of thousand years, rich culture and old heritage and creation of Bangladesh National

Archives is for preserving the history, culture and heritage for the interest of future generations.

Presided over by State Minister for Cultural Affairs Selima Rahman, the function was also addressed by Khandokar Mahbubuddin Ahmad MP, Prof Shahidul Islam MP and director of the Archive and Library Directorate Prof Dr Sharifuddin.