Victory Day Celebrated with colorful display of Bangali culture at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington DC

Victory Day was celebrated in a befitting manner and with colourful display of Bangali culture, and utmost festivity at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington DC. The Embassy organized a two-day long program to celebrate the occasion. On Sunday, 15 December a cultural program and a discussion meeting were held at the Bangabandhu auditorium of the Embassy. An overflowing crowd of more than 400 participants, comprising of expatriate Bangladesh nationals (NRBs), general washingtonians, State Department officials, students, and members of think-tanks etc. gathered to enjoy the  cultural programme at the Bangabandhu auditorium.

Notably, a large segment of the audience was composed of the new generation Bangladeshi-Americans living in the USA. In his welcome remarks, Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA and State Minister Mr. Akramul Qader paid homage and  tribute to the valiant freedom fighters and millions of martyrs, who shed their lives for making Bangladesh a free nation under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He also paid rich tribute to the uncountable number women who sacrificed their honour during the nine-month long brutal war in 1971. In an emotional note, he stated, “on the eve of our victory day, a verdict of ICT against a war criminal has been carried out ending the longstanding culture of impunity. The victory day 2013 therefore marks a new era concluding a disgraceful chapter in nation’s life”. Ambassador Qader detailed on the  historical accounts on  Bangabandhu’s struggles and sacrifices throughout his whole life. He  said that it is important to uphold Bangabandhu’s ideals in their truest sense. Ambassador Qader assured the audience that Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is not only pledge-bound to safeguard the interests of the democracy-loving people of Bangladesh as dreamt by Bangabandhu, but also to lead the country to a middle income Digital Bangladesh by 2021.

Among others, Shamim Chowdhury, President of Bangladesh Center for Community Development Inc. (BCCDI), Professor Keith P. West, Director, Center and Program in Human Nutrition, Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, a great friend of Bangladesh, spoke on the occasion.

A cultural program presented by a set of local Bangladeshi artists followed the discussion program. Embassy officials and members of their families also put up a segment in the show. The colorful show created a vivid image in the minds of the audience of the pain and sacrifice for the nation made by our ancestors and the joy of gaining blood soaked victory in 1971. The vibrant voices and  visual demonstrations of the performers reminded us the fact that  our liberation war was not only about achieving the political and jurisdictional sovereignty, but was also about rights to practice our own culture, sing our own songs and speak our mother tongue, Bangla.

Mrs. Rifat Sultana Akram, wife of Ambassador Akramul Qader, delivered the Vote of Thanks at the end of the program. The guests were served with traditional Bangladeshi cuisine.

On Monday, 16 December 2013 morning, as part of two-day Victory Day programme, Bangladesh national flag was ceremonially hoisted by His Excellency Ambassador Akramul Qader in presence of all the officials of the Embassy. Later messages from Hon’ble President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, and Hon’ble Foreign Minister on the occasion of this auspicious day were read out at a meeting at the Bangabandhu auditorium. The day’s program concluded with a special prayer seeking for the salvation of the departed souls of our valiant freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the country.