Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra has celebrated the 43th Independence and National Day of Bangladesh with due solemnity and in a befitting manner. In the morning the National Flag was hoisted by H.E. the High Commissioner Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury at the Chancery with the presence of all Mission officials and some members of expatriate Bangladeshi community living in Canberra. Following that, messages from the Hon’ble Acting President, the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Foreign Minister of Bangladesh given on this occasion were read out.
In the evening H.E. Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury, High Commissioner for Bangladesh to Australia, and Mrs. Jasmin Masud hosted a reception at the High Court of Australia. As per the standard practice, the Chief of Protocol from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) was present as the Guest of Honour. More than three hundred invited guests attended the Reception from 1830 to 2030 hours. The dignitaries attending the reception included high officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), AusAID, Australian Federal Government, ACT Government, Representatives from Australian Defence Forces, Foreign Diplomats including Heads of Missions and Defence Advisors, former Australian High Commissioners to Bangladesh, Academics, Media Persons, leaders of business community, and members of Bangladesh community.
The formal part of the reception began with the condolence of the Chief of Protocol, Ms. Sally Mansfield on the sad demise of the late Hon’ble President of Bangladesh Mr Md. Zillur Rahman and then she expressed best wishes to the Hon’ble President and people of Bangladesh on the occasion of Independence and National Day. It was reciprocated by H E High Commissioner by conveying best wishes for Her Majesty the Queen and People of Australia. After this H.E. the High Commissioner in his welcome speech paid highest tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and highlighted his legendary leadership in the Historic War of Liberation in 1971. He also paid tribute to other leaders and martyrs of war of liberation. Then he highlighted the background of our Liberation War in 1971, the heinous acts of “Razakar” during the war, present democratic government’s initiative for the punishment of all those offences of Crimes against Humanity and Genocide’, the present status of trials and judgements of the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh under International Crimes Tribunal Act of 1973. After the speech the High Commissioner and Chief of Protocol jointly cut the cake symbolizing long lasting bilateral relations between Bangladesh-Australia and Australia’s continuous support and contribution towards Bangladesh’s socio-economic development.
The main attraction of this formal part was National Anthems of both Bangladesh and Australia that was live performed by Children of Bangla School. This continued with a magnificent cultural presentation comprised with dances performed by the local artists and children with the composition of some patriotic songs.
A special e-souvenir was also published on the occasion of the 43rd Independence and National Day of Bangladesh.
