Bangladesh celebrates Victory Day 2016

On the picture H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal and his team at the new premises of the Bangladesh Embassy in The Hague.

By Roy Lie A Tjam.

Bangladeshi residing in the Netherlands turn out in their numbers to join H.E. Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal and his team in celebrating Bangladesh 45th Victory Day. Lieu of the celebration was the new premises of the Bangladesh Embassy in The Hague on 16 December 2016. Both young and old enjoyed the program.

The Embassy released the following statement: while paying tributes to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders and the millions of martyrs and freedom fighters as well as biranganas on the occasion of the celebration of the 45th Victory Day in The Hague, Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammed Belal recalled the contributions of the expatriate Bangladeshis at the time of our War of Liberation under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In the same spirit, Ambassador Belal urged the NRBs to contribute towards the evolving knowledge economy of Bangladesh.

The Embassy of Bangladesh in The Hague celebrated the 45th Victory Day on 16 December 2016 with due solemnity and festivity in the new Chancery premises. Programme of the day started with the hoisting of National Flag at full mast by Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal in the morning at the Chancery premises. In the evening session, expatriate Bangladeshi nationals living in the Netherlands and the officials of the Embassy along with their members of family, local media as well as Dutch nationals attended the victory day celebration programmes.

One minute silence was observed in memory of the martyred freedom fighters who sacrificed their invaluable lives in the Liberation War. Messages of the Hon’ble President of Bangladesh, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Foreign Minister and Hon’ble State Minister for Foreign Affairs issued on the occasion were read out by the officials of the Embassy. A special prayer was also held seeking divine peace for the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders and the valiant freedom fighters who made supreme sacrifice for the independence of Bangladesh, and the peace and prosperity for the country.

A discussion session on the significance of the Victory Day was held, where members of the local Dutch community, expatriate Bangladesh community, including local leaders of Awami League took part. The discussants paid profound respect to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders and the millions of martyrs and freedom fighters for their sacrifices for the independence of Bangladesh. In his speech, Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal highlighted the importance of instilling the spirit of liberation war among the current and future generations. He also touched upon the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the Netherlands specially following the official visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the Netherlands in November last year.

A colourful cultural programme was organized at the Chancery premises, where the expatriate community as well as members of family of the officials of the Embassy enthusiastically took part. The artists put up patriotic songs, dance, and poems commemorating the Victory Day and the spirit of Liberation War. The celebration of the 45th Victory Day ended with a reception, where homemade food was served.

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Photography by the Embassy of Bangladesh in The Hague.