China Correspondent
With due solemnity and befitting manner, the Birth Centenary of the greatest Bangalee of all times Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children’s Day 2020 was celebrated in Beijing, China.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing held the Birth Centenary programme in a limited contour as per the guideline of the Government of China amid an unusual situation caused by Covid-19.
Bangladesh Ambassador to China Mahbub Uz Zaman launched the celebrations by hoisting the national flag of Bangladesh through rendition of the national anthem at the Embassy premises on Tuesday morning.
A special prayer was offered for the salvation of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation and the members of his family. The prayer also sought the welfare and progress of the whole nation.
The programme was attended by Deputy Chief of Mission, Defense Attache and other high officials, officers and staff members of the Beijing mission.
Alongside with his fellow colleagues, Ambassador Mahbub placed a floral wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu. Thereafter all officials observed one minute silence to pay homage to the Father of the Nation.
Messages from the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out on the occasion.
In the discussion session, Ambassador Mahbub in his speech dwelt on the ideals, objectives and visionary leadership of Bangabandhu.
He also recalled his contribution in establishing a hunger and poverty-free state free from exploitation.
It was Bangabandhu who gave the declaration of independence in the early hours of 26th March 1971, he said.
The ambassador further stated that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina bearing in mind the dream of ‘Golden Bengal’ of Bangabandhu has embarked upon tirelessly to transform Bangladesh into a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed country by 2041.
He called upon all to work towards the progress and development of the country bearing in mind the ideals of the Father of the Nation.
He further said that the visionary foreign policy as articulated by Bangabandhu today remains a cardinal principle and directives of the foreign policy of Bangladesh.
By following his foreign policy priorities and ideals Bangladesh continues to achieve remarkable successes in her bilateral, multilateral and regional engagements, he continued.
Deputy Chief of Mission Masudur Rahman in his introductory speech mentioned that by the visionary and charismatic leadership of Father of the Nation, the Bengali Nation achieved independence in long and various stages of struggle for liberation.
He underscored the need for adhering to the slogan of Mujib Year – “Mujib Year’s Diplomacy, Friendship and Prosperity” for realizing the vision 2020 and 2041 of the Government.
Defense Attache Brigadier General S.M Mahbubul Alam presented an elaborate historical background to delineate the visionary and invaluable leadership quality of the Father of the Nation.
He termed Bangladesh and Bangabandhu as identical and stated that the historic speech of 7th March is an outstanding document for creating the foundation of the war of independence for the Bangalee nation.
Terming Bangabandhu as a natural in-born leader, he said that his humane and uncompromising leadership to realize the demands of common mass made him appear as the people’s ‘Bangabandhu’.
A special documentary on Bangabandhu’s life, achievements and emergence of Bangladesh was screened while different poetry on Bangabandhu and the War of Liberation were recited at the event.
The Embassy also arranged an online art competition for three age categories. At the end, the Ambassador announced the results and distributed prizes among the winners. He also distributed books on Bangabandhu’s speeches and various literary collectibles on Bangabandhu among the audience.