ISLAMABAD: In observance of the 47th anniversary of the independence and National Day of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad hosted a reception on Tuesday at a local hotel.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan Tarik Ahsan, his wife and officers of the High Commission welcomed the guests at the ceremony.
The reception was also attended by dignitaries like the mayor of Islamabad, minister for mines & minerals of Punjab, members of Senate and National Assembly, high civil/military officials, businessmen, journalists, members of civil society, cultural community and social elite of Pakistan as well as ambassadors/high commissioners, diplomats and defence advisers of different embassies/high commissions, heads of international organisations, officers and officials of Bangladesh High Commission along with their spouses and expatriate Bangladeshis.
The official part of the reception included playing of national anthems of Bangladesh and Pakistan; speeches by Tarik Ahsan and cutting of the anniversary cake by Ahsan along with ambassadors and high commissioners of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation countries and other dignitaries present.
Ahsan, while delivering his address, offered profound homage to the memory of Founding Father of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He recalled with gratitude the supreme sacrifice of the martyrs, freedom fighters and people who suffered immensely during the War of Liberation. He remarked that ideals of the Bangladesh’s liberation struggle as enshrined in the Proclamation of Independence, namely equality, human dignity and social justice have remained the guiding principles of the country in its forward journey as an independent nation. He said that in keeping with those values, Bangladesh emerged as a responsive and responsible member of the international community. He added that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been internationally acclaimed as the Mother of Humanity, after Bangladesh gave shelter to over a million forcibly displaced Rohingya people, despite being a land-scarce and resource-constraint country. He mentioned that impressive success of Bangladesh in socio-economic development has made celebration of independence truly meaningful.
A lively dance programme was an added attraction to the reception. The performance of dance byfive ladies wearing colourful Bangladeshi saris to the tune of patriotic songs enthralled the guests.
The reception hall was decorated with an impressive array of red-green floral arrangements and a large artistic banner in the backdrop. The hall was also lighted in a red-green theme. Video documentaries on the touristic attractions of Bangladesh were played on two screens throughout the event. Patriotic Bangladeshi songs were also played in the background. Presentation of food cooked with a Bangladeshi touch and Bangladeshi desserts delighted the guests.
Earlier in the morning, Ahsan ceremonially hoisted the Bangladeshi national flag on the premises of the Chancery of the High Commission, marking the independence and National Day of Bangladesh.
Rich tributes were paid to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Published in Daily Times, March 28th 2018.