The Bangladesh Embassy in Beijing celebrated the historic 7th March Speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a befitting manner. This year, the day marks a special significance for Bangladesh, as the nation celebrates the golden jubilee of her independence and the birth centenary of the leader.
The historic speech delivered on this day by the great leader and greatest Bangali of all time had been the cardinal inspiration for the war Bangladesh fought in 1971, through which the country emerged as an independent nation.
The program of the day commenced with the hoisting of the flag by the Ambassador of Bangladesh to China Mahbub-Uz-Zaman in the presence of the embassy staff and Bangladesh community members.
It was followed by praying for the departed soul of Bangabandhu, his family members, and the martyrs of the war.
After that, the ambassador along with all officers and officials of the embassy paid respect to the great leader by laying a floral wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu. Messages from the President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on the occasion were read out. This was followed by a discussion meeting and screening of documentaries on the occasion received from the Press Information Department (PID) of the Bangladesh government.
The crux of the program was in the second session when a webinar in commemoration of the day was held.
Professor Dr Syed Anwar Husain, one of the most prominent historians of Bangladesh, current Bangabandhu Chair and Professor in the Bangladesh University of Professionals, and former Director-General of the Bangla Academy delivered the keynote speech on “the Significance of the Historic 7th March Speech; Bangabandhu’s Diplomacy and Foreign Policy”. Foreign diplomats, Bangladesh diplomats all across the globe, representatives of the China Media Group (CMG), teachers and students of Beijing Foreign Studies University and other universities in China who are teaching and learning Bangla language, Chinese businessmen and investors, the business community of Bangladesh, Bangladesh community members and others attended the webinar. Ambassador Mahbub-Uz-Zaman in his introductory remarks highlighted how through this historic 7th March speech, Bangabandhu inspired the whole nation to rise against the tyranny and oppression of the then military rulers.
“During the speech, he set the tone and direction of the independence of Bangladesh by saying that “the struggle for this is for independence, the struggle for this time is for independence”, the ambassador added. In the Keynote speech, Professor Dr. Syed Anwar Husain put the historic speech into the context of his political sharpness, acumen, and diplomatic dexterity.
The professor said that because of his role in the freedom struggle as well as his overpowering charisma, Bangabandhu played a central role in policy formulation and making in the new state. Bangabandhu made some significant statements that foreshadowed the foreign policy of Bangladesh, he added. Six Chinese people -- Professor Zeng Qiong from Beijing Foreign Studies University, Yang Zhizhen (Anupama), Yu Guang Yue Anandi (Chief Correspondent of the China Media Group in Dhaka), Xu Qian Hui (Ava), Yuan Shang Yao (Hiya), Yu Meng Ting (Disha), one businessman and two Bangladesh community members participated in the discussion session.
Ambassador Mahbub-Uz-Zaman wrapped up the session and extended a vote of thanks. The webinar was conducted by Dr M Nazrul Islam, Minister of the embassy.