Bangladesh Consulate General in New York observes 46th Independence and National Day of Bangladesh

UsaNewsOnline, New York, 30 March : Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York observed 46^th Independence and National Day on 26th March 2016 at the Chancery. The programmes began at 9:30 am with the hoisting of the National Flag at the Chancery in the presence of the officers and officials of the Consulate. Messages from the Honorable President, Honorable Prime Minister, Honorable Foreign Minister and Honorable State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out on the occasion. A special Munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of those who had made supreme sacrifices to achieve country’s independence in 1971 and for the peace, prosperity and continued progress for the country and its people.

As a part of the celebratory activities, a Reception was held at the Auditorium of the Consulate at 6:30pm-9:30pm on 29 March 2016. It started with the playing of the national anthems of Bangladesh and the USA. One minute silence was observed as a token of respect for the martyrs. In his welcome remarks, Mr. Md. Shameem Ahsan, ndc, Consul General paid rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and martyrs of 1971. He also paid respect to the valiant freedom fighters and to those brave women who were subjected to heinous form of war crimes. The Consul General specially recalled the contribution of the people in New York with special reference to George Harrison, Ravi Shankar and other Pop Stars for the Concert for Bangladesh at the Maddison Square Garden, New York who stood for the cause of Bangladesh’s independence.

H.E. Mr. Masud Bin Momen, Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Bangladesh to UN and US representatives including influential Congresswoman Honorable Carolyn B. Maloney (New York-D), Queens Borough President Honorable Melinda Katz also spoke on the occasion. Mr. Lear Levin, Recipient of “Friends of Liberation War Honor” and a noted US film maker shared his sentiment. Congratulatory messages sent by the Mayor of New York City Honorable Bill de Blasio, Governor of New York State Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo and New York City Comptroller Honorable Scott M. Stringer were read out by their representatives. The event marked a cake-cutting ceremony to commemorate the Day.

A good number of senior US Government officials, Consuls General of a number of countries including India, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Bahamas, Indonesia, Cyprus and Bulgaria, diplomats, elected representatives from New York and other States, Congressional Staffers, members of the Think Tank, businessmen, journalists and a large number of the members of Bangladesh Diaspora attended the Reception, among others.

The guests were served with traditional Bangladeshi food. Press Release