UsaNewsOnline.Com, New York : Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York celebrated 46^th Anniversary of the Independence and National Day in a befitting way. The programmes began at 9:30 am on 26 March 2017 with the hoisting of the National Flag at the Chancery in the presence of the officers and officials of the Consulate General. Messages from the Honorable President, Honorable Prime Minister, Honorable Foreign Minister and Honorable State Minister for Foreign Affairs sent on the occasion were read out. 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 of the country and its people.

As a part of the celebratory activities, a Reception was held at the Auditorium of the Consulate General at 6:30 pm-9:30 pm on 27 March 2017. It started with the playing of the national anthems of Bangladesh and the USA. One minute silence was observed as a mark 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 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, Bob Dylanand other Pop Stars for the Concert for Bangladesh at the Maddison Square Garden, New York who stood for the cause of Bangladesh’s independence.

Begum Akthar Jahan, MP, H.E. Mr. Masud Bin Momen, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to UN and US representatives including Honorable Mr. Donald A. Guardian, Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey, Ms. Kathleen M. Eagen, Director, Bureau of Public Affairs, US Department of State 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 and Governor of New York State Honorable Andrew M. Cuomowere read out by their representatives. The event marked a cake-cutting ceremony to commemorate the Day.

A good number of senior US officials, Consuls General of a number of countries, diplomats, elected representatives from New York and other States, Congressional Staffers, members of the Think Tank, businessmen, journalists and a large number of members of Bangladesh Diaspora attended the Reception, among others. The guests were served with traditional Bangladeshi food.

In a related development, Consulate General, Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to UN and Congress of Bangladeshi-American Inc. jointly organized a blood donation program on 26 March 2017 at the local Elmhurst Hospital. The Consulate General also organized a discussion meeting jointly with the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh on 25 March 2017 at the Bangabandhu Auditorium to commemorate “Genocide Day” with the presence of the members of media and community leaders.