Staff Reporter : The Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the United Nations has observed the martyrdom anniversary and National Mourning Day of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the greatest Bengali nation of all time. The National Mourning Day program was organized at 11 am local time on Sunday (August 15) at the Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Mission. Organized by Mission in the context of Covid-19, the event was held in a mixed way through direct and virtual participation.
A large number of expatriate Bangladeshis, including leaders of the United States Awami League and its affiliates, Bangabandhu Parishad, Bangabandhu Foundation, Sheikh Hasina Mancha and heroic freedom fighters living in the United States, participated virtually.
Held at the Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Mission to mark the 46th Martyrdom Anniversary of the Father of the Nation and National Mourning Day, the program began with the hoisting of the national flag at half-mast and the playing of the national anthem. After this, a minute of silence was observed by paying homage to the departed souls of all the martyrs of August 15, including the Father of the Nation, Bangamata and their martyred families. After that, prayers were offered for the forgiveness of the souls of the martyrs on 15th August.
Officials and staff of all levels of the mission led by Rabab Fatima, Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United Nations, paid homage to the Father of the Nation by laying a wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Auditorium. After that, the speeches of His Excellency the President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Minister of Foreign Affairs and Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs were read out.
On the eve of the golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s great independence and the birth centenary celebrations of the Father of the Nation, this year’s National Mourning Day is carrying special significance, said Ambassador Rabab Fatima in her welcome address. Excerpt from the Father of the Nation’s speech at the United Nations for the first time in 1974 – “Peace is essential for the survival of the human race. In this peace, the deep hopes and aspirations of all men and women around the world are embodied. Peace can never be lasting unless it is based on the principle of justice, ”said Ambassador Fatima. She said, “Bangladesh has been playing a leading role in establishing world peace by following the essence of the time-honored speech of the Father of the Nation and his principles and ideals.”
Ambassador Fatima called upon all to be more dedicated to the implementation of Vision 2021, Vision 2041 and Delta Plan 2100 under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in building Bangabandhu’s Golden Bengal. He said, “Under the direction and leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, we have been making fruitful participation and making significant contributions to the United Nations.” Our intensive and proactive participation in a wide range of multilateral issues, including peacekeeping, sustainable development, climate change, and women’s empowerment, has been widely appreciated. “Bangladesh is a dignified name in the United Nations today.”
Ambassador Fatima highlighted the life and work of the Father of the Nation with the context of August 15, 1975. “Some of the convicted murderers are still living abroad,” she said. It is the responsibility of all of us to bring them back to justice. ” In this regard, Ambassador Fatima called upon the expatriate Bangladeshis living in the United States to play a greater role in their respective fields. “We want no murderer of the father of the nation to escape justice,” she said. Sh
e called upon the new generation growing up in exile to practice the life and work of the father of the nation. Ambassador Fatima said, “A new generation of patriotic, advanced thinking will be formed through the practice of life and ideals of the Father of the Nation who will contribute to the construction of the Golden Bengal of the Father of the Nation. Love the country, think about the country, be proud of the country’s development.
Various leaders of the United States Awami League and its affiliated organizations, freedom fighters and children of martyred families spoke in the open discussion session. The speakers expressed their firm conviction to achieve the dream of the Father of the Nation of building a golden Bengal from their own position by transforming this mourning of 15th August into energy.
BP/SM
