Bangladesh Ambassador Mohammad Ziauddin inaugurates “Asian Festival 2015” in Kansas

Kansas, USA : Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Mohammad Ziauddin inaugurated the ‘Asian Festival 2015’ in Kansas on Saturday 25 April. ‘Asian Festival 2015’ is the largest yearly celebration for the 15 Asian nations in Kansas organised by the Mid-American Asian Cultural Association (MAACA). MAACA is an umbrella Association of 15 South and South East Asian diasporas in Kansas, USA.

On Saturday (25 April), morning Bangladesh Ambassador Ziauddin formally inaugurated the festival followed by an inaugural speech. Mayor of Olathe, Kansas, White House representative, Diplomats, corporate representatives and high profile businessmen were present on the occasion.

In his speech, Bangladesh Ambassador Mohammad Ziauddin said that the advancing innovations of information and communication technology followed by the ever increasing flow of trade and investments, goods and services and peoples, is transforming our world into a global village. Thus, cultures, traditions, customs, norms are inevitably mixing freely and creating better understanding among the peoples of the world. He said that in the process of such celebration peoples of different ethnicity, religions and beliefs are learning to understand and respect one another and adjust to living together in peace and harmony. Asian nations should be proud of their ancient heritage and culture, they are not only integrating well among themselves also merging gracefully with the larger socio-cultural fabric and pluralistic democratic society of the United States, Ambassador added.

Bangladesh Ambassador said that Bangladesh diaspora is contributing to the socio-economic growth of both their countries, to their home of origin they are sending remittances, which are doing wonders in transforming the lives of those they have left behind and on the other hand merging smoothly with the culture and values of their adopted home.  Ambassador said that the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina considers the diaspora as an inseparable part of Bangladesh and she sincerely hopes that Bangladesh diaspora shall continue their good work in helping build a closely knit US-Bangladesh friendship.

Ambassador Ziauddin mentioned that Bangladesh’s economy is moving at a fast pace to become a middle-income “ Digital Bangladesh” by fulfilling Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision 20121 and also a developed country by 2041. To attain those goals, there are strong emphasis on increasing exports, remittances and foreign direct investments as well as an on establishing a physical multi modal connectivity with all countries in the region and beyond as a bridge between South and South East Asia, Bangladesh is destined to become the economic hub of the region and a vibrant economy, he added.

The day long ‘Asian Festival 2015’ in Kansas was swamped by the Asian diasporas and Americans. The Festival started with the introduction of 15 national flags of the Asian countries. Bangladesh and other South-Asian countries showcased traditional cultural performances, indoor games, yoyo tricks and traditional stage parade etc. Bangladesh and other South-East Asian countries also opened individual food stalls in the festival.