The 103rd birth anniversary of greatest Bangalee of all time Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children’s Day-2023 was celebrated at Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC today (Friday) with due respect and festivity. To celebrate the day, the Embassy organized elaborate programs which included hosting of the National Flag, placing a floral wreath at the bust of Bangabandhu, discussion meeting, essay and painting competition for the children, cultural function and screening of two documentaries on Bangabandhu. The day’s programs of the Embassy began in the morning with formally hoisting of the National Flag in front

of the Chancery Building by Ambassador Muhammad Imran. Officials and employees of the Mission were present at that time. Later, the Ambassador placed a floral wreath at the bust of the Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Corner in the presence of the officials and employees of the Mission. Messages issued on the occasion by Hon’ble President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out at the Bangabandhu Auditorium. Consular (Minister) Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Defense Attaché Brigadier General Md Shahedul Islam, Counsellor (Public Diplomacy) Arifa Rahman Ruma and First Secretary (Passport and Visa Wing) Md

Abdul Hye Milton read out the messages. Taking part in the discussion, Ambassador Imran paid glowing tributes to the Father of the Nation and recalled his long struggle from the great Language Movement to the War of Liberation to achieve the much-anticipated independence of Bengali nation. Under the undaunted leadership of Bangabandhu, Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign country in the world after the nine-month-long armed war in 1971, he said. While talking about the National Children’s Day, the Ambassador said the government led by Bangabandhu’s able daughter and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken various programs to make

the country a safe abode for the future generations. He urged the guardians to let know their children about the country’s glorious history, culture and Bangabandhu’s great sacrifice for independence. Ambassador Imran called upon all to work unitedly under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasin to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty by embracing the spirit of the Liberation War and the ideology of the Father of the Nation. Minister (Press) AZM Sajjad Hossain also took part in the discussion highlighting Bangabandhu’s long struggle for independence and huge contribution to rebuilding war-ravaged nation. The

morning part of the programs ended with offering a special prayer seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage as well as continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation. Later in the evening, the Ambassador cut a cake with the participation of the children. A colorful cultural function was staged where Bangladeshi children living in Greater Washington Metro Area enthralled the audience by performing patriotic songs and dances. Afterwards, Ambassador Imran distributed prizes among the winners of the essay and art competitions. A competition on making traditional Bangladeshi Pitha

(cake) was also organised marking the day. Spouse of the Ambassador Zakia Hasnat handed over the prizes among the winners of the cake making competition. M.A.N. Siddique, Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), and Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, Alternate Executive Director of the World Bank, A.B.M. Amin Ullah Nuri, Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division, among others, attended the function. Counsellor (Political-I) Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Counsellor (Political-III) Shamima Yeasmin Smrite and First Secretary Md Ataur Rahman conducted the three parts of the programs.