DHAKA, March 18, 2023 (BSS) - Bangladesh missions abroad observed the 103rd birth anniversary of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children's Day-2023 on Mach 17 in a befitting manner.

Marking the day, Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC organized elaborate programmes, including hosting of the national flag, placing a floral wreath at the bust of Bangabandhu, discussion meeting, essay and painting competition for the children, cultural function and screening of two documentaries on Bangabandhu on Friday.

The day's programmes of the embassy began in the morning with formally hoisting of the national flag in front of the Chancery Building by Ambassador Muhammad Imran. Officials and employees of the mission were present at that time.

Later, the ambassador placed a floral wreath at the bust of the Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Corner in the presence of the officials and employees of the mission.
Messages issued on the occasion by the President, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out at the Bangabandhu Auditorium. Consular (Minister) Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Defense Attach, Brigadier General Md Shahedul Islam, Counsellor (Public Diplomacy) Arifa Rahman Ruma and First Secretary (Passport and Visa Wing) Md Abdul Hye Milton read out the messages. 

Taking part in the discussion, Ambassador Imran paid glowing tributes to the Father of the Nation and recalled his long struggle from the great Language Movement to the War of Liberation to achieve the much-anticipated independence of the Bengali nation. 

Under the undaunted leadership of Bangabandhu, Bangladesh emerged as an independent and sovereign country in the world after the nine-month-long armed war in 1971, he said. 

While talking about the National Children's Day, the ambassador said the government, led by Bangabandhu's able daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has taken various programmes to make the country a safe abode for the future generations.

He urged the guardians to let their children know about the country's glorious history, culture and Bangabandhu's great sacrifice for independence.

Ambassador Imran called upon all to work unitedly under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasin to build a happy and prosperous Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty by upholding the spirit of the Liberation War and the ideology of the Father of the Nation. 

Minister (Press) AZM Sajjad Hossain also took part in the discussion highlighting Bangabandhu's long struggle for independence and huge contribution in rebuilding the war-ravaged nation. 

The morning part of the programmes ended with offering a special prayer seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage as well as continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation. 

Later in the evening, the ambassador cut a cake with the participation of the children. A colorful cultural function was staged where Bangladeshi children living in Greater Washington Metro Area enthralled the audience by performing patriotic songs and dances.

Afterwards, Ambassador Imran distributed prizes among the winners of the essay and art competitions. A competition on making traditional Bangladeshi Pitha (indigenous cake) was also organized, marking the day.
 
Spouse of Ambassador Zakia Hasnat handed over the prizes among the winners of the cake making competition. 

MAN Siddique, Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, Alternate Executive Director of the World Bank, and ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division, among others, attended the function.
 
Counsellor (Political-I) Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Counsellor (Political-III) Shamima Yeasmin Smrite and First Secretary Md Ataur Rahman conducted the three parts of the programmes.

The Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations, Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra, Bangladesh High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, Bangladesh Embassy in Mexico City, Bangladesh Embassy in Rome, Bangladesh Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, and Bangladesh Consulate General in New York also celebrated the day with similar programmes.