Bangladesh missions abroad observe Bangabandhu’s birthday in befitting manner

Bangladesh missions abroad have observed the 98th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with due respect and all fervour.

Messages from President Md Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam were also read out at the programmes in those missions.

Cutting cake, organising discussions, art completion for children, cultural programme, and screening of documentary and films were the highlights of the day's celebration.

The special prayer was also offered for the salvation and eternal peace of the soul of Bangabandhu and continuous peace and prosperity of Bangladesh.

On Mar17 in 1920, the founding father of Bangladesh was born at Tungipara in Gopalganj.

The day is also celebrated in Bangladesh as National Children’s Day.

Bangladesh High Commission in Singapore said they celebrated the day in a festive manner and due fervour.

“The programme of the day turned to a colourful festive with the presence of more than 300 expatriate Bangladeshis, their family members and children from different schools,” the High Commission said in a statement.

Bangladesh embassy in Ankara said they held week-long art completion in two schools in Ankara.

Ambassador Allama Siddiqui distributed crest and certificates at OASIS International School on Mar 16 and the prizes of the winners of the next school ‘Dr Rashid Galib’ would be distributed on Mar 20.

Bangladesh Ambassador in Bangkok Saida Muna Tasneem called upon expatriate children to emulate Bangabandhu’s “progressive and secular values”.

“On the occasion of the 98th Birthday of Bangabandhu, the Bangladesh Embassy has taken the initiative to gift to Thailand the “Bangabandhu Chair” at the AIT and also translation of his historic 7th March speech into the Thai language,” she said.

The embassy also organised a thematic painting competition on ‘Bangabandhu and Bangladesh” participated by expatriate children from age 2 to 18 at the Bangladesh Embassy premises on the occasion.

The Embassy in Tashkent has organised two essay contests among students of Mirzo Ulugbek International School and 103 Specialised School.

Winners of the contests were invited with their parents to Bangladesh Embassy on Mar 17 when they were awarded certificates of recognition and memorable gifts. The embassy also screened a short film on Bangabandhu’s life.

The Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad said they organised the day in a befitting manner.

Members of expatriate Bangladesh community, officials and staff of the High Commission, along with their families, participated in the day-long programme arranged at the Chancery premises of the High Commission.

“The Chancery building and premises were nicely decorated with colourful paper-made chains, balloons and other glittering materials.”

Bangladesh embassy in Vietnam said three MPs - Syed Abu Hossain, Abdur Rahman Badi and Shafiqul Islam Shimul - who are visiting Vietnam also joined the observance. A special art camp has been organised where Vietnamese children also participated.

Bangladesh Embassy in Copenhagen celebrated the say with “great enthusiasm and zeal”.

With the participation of more than one hundred members of the expatriate community and their children, the Embassy turned out to be a festive venue celebrating the birthday of the architect of independent Bangladesh.

A documentary on the life and work of the Father of the Nation namely “Bangabandhu: Our great leader’’ was also screened, apart from other functions.

Bangladesh Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith highlighted on the struggle and sacrifices spanning his whole life made by Bangabandhu in translating Bangalees’ dream of nationhood into reality in his speech.

He emphasised on the fact that “Bangabandhu and the history of Bangladesh are synonymous to each other and the new generation must learn the true history and practice the ideology of Bangabandhu which is like a beacon for our journey towards a secular, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh.”

In Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, children read out the messages from President Md Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali.

Awami League Presidium member Md Abdur Razzaque, former Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, who is also the Joint General Secretary of Awami League, and High Commissioner Syed Muazzem Ali spoke at the function recalling different aspects of life and achievements of Bangabandhu, the greatest Bengalee ever born.

Assistant High Commissioner of the newly-opened Assistant High Commission in Guwahati, the capital of the Indian State of Assam, Kazi Muntasir Murshed said they celebrated Bangabandhu’s birthday for the first time.

He distributed colour pencils and papers to 13O children who want to paint but cannot afford those due to poverty.