Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Some of the unsung heroes of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War recalled their sacrifices during celebrations held here recently to mark the country’s National Day.

The men said they had actively participated in the liberation struggle in the early 1970s and but later moved to the Kingdom for work.

Scores of Bangladeshis gathered at the Bangladeshi Consulate General with great enthusiasm and true national spirit to mark their Independence and National Day on March 26. Their voices were filled with emotion and their eyes glittered in unquantifiable respect for the martyrs of the Liberation War as they joined thousands of fellow citizens around the world singing in chorus “Amar Sonar Bangla”, the national anthem, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka.

Consul General F.M. Borhan Uddin hoisted the national flag at the consulate, where a formal function was held to commemorate the day. Borhan Uddin and his compatriots paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at a replica of the war memorial.

The officials read out speeches of President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Hasina on the occasion.

Borhan Uddin said this year’s national day celebrations had a special significance. “Our celebrations this year are special as Bangladesh has met for the first time three requirements set by United Nations to graduate from its status of a ‘least developing country’ to a ‘developing country’,” he said.

He termed the rating as a milestone achievement for Bangladesh under the stewardship of Prime Minister Hasina.

Addressing the audience, a war veteran and resident of Jeddah, Mumtaz Hossain Chowdary said currently a third generation of Bangladeshis were enjoying the fruits of the liberation. He expressed confidence in the young generation saying they would lead the country to further prosperity while maintaining the unique Bangla identity.

He recalled how bravely he and other Muktijoddha (liberation warriors) faced then Pakistan army bullets to win the freedom for Bangladeshis.

Chowdary said all those who suffered and made sacrifices during the liberation war did it to uphold self-respect and dignity of the nation.

Several other war veterans, who later became expatriates in the Kingdom, attended the event and shared their experiences and the sacrifices they made.

Later in the evening, the consulate hosted a gala reception where hundreds of community members, Saudi dignitaries including Jamal Bakr Balkhoyor, director of the Foreign Ministry office in Makkah province, and members of the diplomatic corps, participated.

Borhan Uddin cut the celebratory cake with other diplomats.

The young girls of Bangladesh International School’s Bangla and English sections, dressed up in green saris and red blouses, enthralled the audience with patriotic songs and cultural programs. The dances were choreographed by Shupti, Porag and Najmun.

Addressing the evening gathering, the consul general elaborated on Digital Bangladesh and said it was an integral part of the Dhaka government’s Vision 2021, which promises a prosperous and equitable middle-income Bangladesh by its golden jubilee of independence.

He said Bangladesh achieved a 7 percent growth in GDP last year, which “is quite significant”.

He urged Saudi businessmen to invest in his country as it had been making significant progress in shipbuilding, pharmaceutical industry, agriculture and education.

Similar celebrations were held in Riyadh. Shahmi Bin Shuwaimi Bin Fuaiz, adviser to Riyadh emir, was the chief guest at the event, which was attended by a host of foreign diplomats based in the Saudi capital.

Ambassador Golam Moshi drew the attention of the audience to the achievements of Bangladesh in the last 47 years.

He said Bangladesh has become a leading contributor to the UN peacekeeping forces.

Dhaka can be a partner in accelerating development of Saudi Arabia through its Vision 2030, the ambassador said while inviting the Kingdom to be a partner for Bangladesh’s Vision 2021.