British Bangladeshi children take interest in Bangabandhu

A large number of Bangladesh-origin British children have taken interest in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and joined a drawing as well as essay competition in London, marking his birthday.

The Bangladesh High Commission said they observed the 99th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation on Mar 17 at the Impression Events Venue in East London. The Day is also the National Children’s Day.

Styled ‘Bangabandhu and Britain’, children aged between 4 and 14 year took part in the drawing and essay contest. They also joined a cultural programme.

Bangabandhu had a special tie with Britain. London was his first stopover when he returned to Dhaka from Rawalpindi after being released from the Pakistan prison following the birth of Bangladesh on Dec 16.

The then British prime minister Edward Heath received him at 10 Downing Street. Heath also accorded him the honour of a visiting head of state.

High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem said their event was planned to encourage children to learn about the life and politics of the Bangabandhu.

She highlighted the “greatness, secular and undisputed characteristics” of Bangabandhu before the children and juveniles in her speech.

Journalist and writer Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury and one of the organisers of Liberation War in London Sultan Mahmud Sharif also addressed the programme.

The high commissioner also placed a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in the mission.