NEW DELHI: Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus was officially sworn in as the chief adviser to Bangladesh's interim government during a ceremony held at Bangabhaban on Thursday. The oath was administered by Bangladesh's President Mohammed Shahabuddin, following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who subsequently left Dhaka.

"This is a moment of great pride for us. The revolution that has ushered in a new Victory Day for Bangladesh must be upheld and strengthened. I extend my deepest appreciation to the youth who made this possible. They stood by me, protected this country, and have given it a new beginning," Yunus stated on Thursday.

Yunus made these remarks during a press conference at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after returning from the 2024 Paris Olympics in France. He emphasized that restoring law and order is a top priority, urging the people of Bangladesh to trust him, and assuring that no harm would come to anyone under his leadership.

During his address, Yunus grew emotional as he remembered Abu Sayed, a student from Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur who was tragically killed in a shooting. "Abu Sayed was an incredibly brave young man. His name is etched in the hearts of everyone in this country. This incident has given rise to a second independence for our nation," he said.

According to the Bangladeshi news outlet The Daily Star, no members of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party were present at the ceremony. Following Hasina's resignation, the protesting students made it clear that they would not accept a military-led government and instead wanted Prof. Yunus to take the lead. Hasina left the country quickly, and arrived at New Delhi, where she is staying with her daughter.

Speaking to a crowd at Dhaka airport, the Nobel laureate, soon to lead the interim government, expressed his commitment to ensuring that the newly revitalized Bangladesh moves forward rapidly.