The Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal observed the “National Mourning Day” and the 41st Anniversary of Martyrdom of  Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 15 August 2016 by organizing a program to commemorate the Day with due solemnity and respect.

 The day’s program began with the hoisting of the national flag at half mast at the Chancery by the Ambassador in the morning. This was followed by placing of floral wreaths in front of the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman followed by observance of one minute’s silence as a mark of respect to the departed. A ‘Doa Mahfil’ was also held in the morning at the Chancery where all present prayed for the eternal peace of Bangabandhu, members of his family and others who had been slain on this day.

 The second part of the program organized by the Embassy began by reading out of the messages of the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs. This was followed by a presentation of an essay highlighting the significant events of the life of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The next item on the program was recitation of a poem by Poet Shamsur Rahman paying tribute to Bangabandhu.

This was followed by a discussion session on the Father of the Nation where, the speakers recalled his achievements and extolled his single minded devotion to the cause of the people of Bengal and his uncompromising position against exploitation and autocracy and his vision of establishing “Sonar Bangla”.

Yuvnath Lamsal, Editor of Chief of The Rising Nepal, a leading English language daily, who participated in the discussion session asserted that Bangabandhu was not only a great leader of Bangladesh but of the entire South Asian region and his brutal assassination was a loss for the entire region.

He also noted that Bangabandhu continues to inspire the people of Nepal even today as the leader who gave the first secular sonstitution to a country in South Asia. The discussion session was followed by screening of a documentary on the historic 7th March speech of the Father of the Nation.

 In her concluding remarks, the Ambassador stated that though Bangabandhu had been assassinated 41 years ago, his legacy lives on and he continues to inspire Bangalees in their fight against terrorism, militancy, extremism and bigotry She also mentioned that Bangladesh was well on its way to achieving Bangabandhu’s long cherished dream of “Sonar Bangla” under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

 According to a press release issued by Embassy of Bangladesh, the day’s program was attended by the Ambassador, officials of the Mission and SAARC Secretariat, members of the expatriate Bangladesh in Nepal, diplomats, Nepalese dignitaries and political leaders, members of the civil society and representatives of the print and electronic media.