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

USANEWS: Thirty Ninth anniversary of the Victory Day of Bangladesh was celebrated with discussion meeting, colorful display of Bangladesh culture, utmost fan fare and festivity in the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington DC on  December 18.  Braving icy cold, an overflowing crowd of about 400 audiences, comprising officials from US State Department and other Agencies, academics, Congressional Staffer, representatives from Think Tanks, socio-cultural organizations, former Bangladesh Ambassadors, Senior Officers of the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry and members of the  community, among others. Held at the  Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Embassy, Bangladesh Ambassador to USA and State Minister  Akramul Qader in his speech  paid  rich  tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman-Father of the Nation, millions of martyrs and the valiant freedom fighters for making Bangladesh free. He added that the present Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is  working to fulfill the dreams of the freedom struggle. In his speech, Ambassador Qader also mentioned the role of the individuals in the USA to the cause of Bangladesh’s independence, and informed the audience about the government’s initiative to  honor the friends of Bangladesh in different countries of the world. Bangladesh Ambassador also urged the expatriate Bangladeshis to come forward  for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.

 Peter Blood, son of Mr. Archer K. Blood-the then US Consul General to Dhaka, in his emotion-choked speech, narrated his father’s  role in favor of the Bengalees. He also mentioned that the values that drove Bangladesh to independence were the shared universal values of human rights and dignity. Monayem Chowdhury, a Bangladesh-American, chronicled the struggles and sacrifices of the expatriate Bengalees in USA during the liberation war with special reference to the heroic role of the  diaspora in using small boats to blockade Pakistani ships at the harbors in Baltimore and Philadelphia. Nadia, a young Bangladesh raised in USA, spoke on the occasion to share the viewpoint and perception of the young generation about independence  of the country. One minute silence was observed to register respect for the martyrs of the independence war.

A cultural program based on the theme “Ekti Phulke Banchabo Bole”(to save a flower) was presented by Embassy officials and members of their families which contained songs & recitations aired by the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. Directed by Apparna Data, young artistes of the local Nupur Academy performed dances depicting the  theme. Choreographed by Jashim Uddin, Minister(Political),the colorful cultural  segment  visualized the pains of supreme sacrifice for the nation and the joy of gaining blood-earned victory. Rasheda Rawnok Khan- famous TV anchor and a member of Embassy family, Muhamamd Nazmul Hoque, Head of Chancery and Sonia Sharmin (Shawrna), another embassy family member, earned accolade for their lively presentations as Masters of Ceremony. The event received enormous support  from noted singer Abu Rumi. Ashish Barua helped in Tabla while  Milon Mowla assisted in technical matters. Eng. Jamil Khan supervised the sound and lights. Rifat Sultana Akram, wife of the Bangladesh Ambassador, delivered the Vote of Thanks at the end of the program.

 On 16 December as a part of series of Victory Day programs, Bangladesh national flag was ceremonially hoisted by Ambassador Qader  in presence of all the officials of the Embassy. Messages from President , Prime Minister and Foreign Minster  on the occasion were read out. The  program in the morning concluded with a special prayer seeking for the salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs of the independence war and for the prosperity of the country. All guests were served with  dinner.