By Roy Lie A Tjam.
After an introduction by the Second Secretary Mr. Istiaque Uddin Ahmed, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to the Netherlands, welcomed the many guests who came to join in the celebration of Bangladesh’s 44th Independence and National Day. The festivities took place at the residence of the Ambassador in Wassenaar on March 26 2015.
It was indeed a great honor for Bangladesh to attain its Independence under the leadership of someone of the caliber and dedication of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
His Excellency addressed to his guests as follows:
”Good evening! Excellencies, distinguished guests, members of Bangladesh community in the Netherlands!
We assembled here to celebrate the 44th independence and national day of Bangladesh. We got freedom on this date through a bloody war and it is a day worth celebration. So, please allow me to thank you for being with us on this day of celebration.
On this day our first thoughts go to the architect of this independence, the Father of our Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and millions of martyrs who made supreme sacrifice to provide us an independent country called Bangladesh.
It was Bangabandhu who taught us to keep the spirit of independence alive through serving our people well. We shall never allow that torch of his values to be blown out, however high the wind or stormy the tempest.
Our next thoughts must be of the unknown volunteers and soldiers of freedom, some were from countries near and far, who, without praise or reward, have served Bangladesh even unto death. Our deepest homage to all those friends and peers who stood on our side even, at times, against the will of their governments.
As a citizen of Bangladesh, we are proud of our golden past. We have all along been the part of world’s one of the oldest and richest civilizations. As proud as we are about our past, we know it well that we have to work hard to harder to make our present and future better than our past.”
He continues ” Dear Members of Bangladesh community in the Netherlands
I think you are sick and tired with me already. As I kept reminding you, myself included, about our opportunity to witness, what I call, Dutch triumph of making a country from under the water. Every day you witness a beauty that few people in the world can even imagine.
So, Excellencies, allow me to express our heartfelt gratitude to the people and government of the Netherlands for their wholehearted support and assistance.
I will be remiss, if I fail to acknowledge all members of Bangladesh Embassy family for their hard work to make this day as good a celebration as we witness it here today.
Before I conclude, allow me to offer you this assurance. When you go back home tonight, you will look much healthier today, compared to other days, as we arranged some delicious food, befitting our culture, for you. We even tried to serve you with the rain in our desperate attempt to make it less spicy for you. I, therefore, invite you to the refreshments served. I thank you”
For a photo-album on this event, please click here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157651190724608/
