Celebration of the Independence and National Day-2023 by Bangladesh High Commission, Ottawa, Canada.
Bangladesh High Commission, Ottawa celebrated the 52nd Independence and National Day-2023 with due fervour on 26 March-2023.
The celebration of the day was divided into two parts, i.e., one was in the morning and the other one was in the evening. The programme started by hoisting the National Flag at Bangladesh House. H.E., the High Commissioner Dr. Khalilur Rahman hoisted the National Flag when all the officials of the High Commission were present. The National Anthem was played during the flag hoisting. After that, the messages of the Honorable President, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Foreign Minister, and Hon’ble State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out. A special prayer was offered.
The second part of the event was the special Reception that began at 6.00 pm at the premise of the Bangladesh High Commission, Ottawa. The Reception program began by placing floral wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The Reception was attended by more than 100 guests including the leaders and members of Bangladesh community living in Canada. The Honorable Brad Redekopp, MP of the Federal Government of Canada & the Chair of Bangladesh–Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group was the Chief Guest at the event. After placement of floral wreath, the national anthems of Bangladesh and Canada were played. Afterwards, H.E., the High Commissioner delivered his remarks.
H.E., the High Commissioner, Dr. Khalilur Rahman at the outset of his speech, paid deepest homage to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who declared the Independence in the early hours of 26 March 1971 after the Pakistani Occupation Forces started genocide in the late hours of 25
March 1971 under the Pakistani killing Blue–Print “Operation Search Light“. He said that today we gather here to honor our three million martyrs, who made supreme sacrifice, the valiant freedom fighters and two hundred thousand women who lost their sanctity for our independence.
H.E., the High Commissioner also said that our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the architect of our independence. Bangabandhu’s leadership, vision, and sacrifice remain the inspiration to us all. By following Bangabandhu’s visionary leadership and the directives in the historic 7th March speech we achieved an independent and sovereign state, he added.
H.E., also thanked the Honorable Brad Redekopp MP to join with us as the Chief Guest who is also currently the Chair of Bangladesh–Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Recalling the acknowledgement and support extended by the then Canadian Government and Canadian people and many Bangladeshi–Canadians to our war of liberation, H.E., the High Commissioner said that Bangladesh and Canada have been trusted friends and partners since our independence. The two countries enjoy the best of bilateral relations since the diplomatic relations were established on 14 February 1972 in difference sectors. The two countries have been working closely in areas like global peace and security, climate change, combatting extremism, promoting diversity, and human rights. The issue of inclusion of Bangladesh in SDS is again brought to the kind attention of the Hon’ble Chief Guest by H.E., the High Commissioner.
The trade and investment between the two countries are also increasing every year. The total trade between the two countries stands at USD 2.1 billion, highest than any time, he added.
Regarding the 1.2 million Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNS), H.E., the High Commissioner said that Bangladesh is bearing the brunt of this enormous burden with no fault of its own. Bangladesh spends around 1.45 billion USD every year to host them. Bangladesh also expects Canadian government to name the Special Envoy for Rohingyas as announced by the Government end last year.
H.E., the High Commissioner also said that as we celebrate our Independence and National Day, let us renew our commitment, support and engage in the campaign for Recognition of Genocide perpetrated by the Pakistani Ruler in 1971 during the War of Independence as urged by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by declaring 25 March as the International Genocide Day by the Global Community. A submission has been made to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights by the Bangabandhu Centre in Canada in collaboration with four other organizations for permanent exhibits of Genocide in Bangladesh in 1971 in the Museum which is under consideration, he added.
Today Bangladesh is the 41st largest economy of the world and is projected to be 12th economic power of the world in 2050. It is termed as one of the Frontier 05 Economies and a next 11 Nation with high economic potential. It is projected to be a Trillion Dollar Economy and 9th largest consumer market in the world by 2030. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave us Vision 2041, to make Bangladesh an industrially developed nation, the “Smart Bangladesh“.
After the remarks of H.E., the High Commissioner, the Honourable Brad Redekopp, MP, Federal Government of Canada, recalled our Language Movement and the liberation war, and the recognition of Canada to Bangladesh. He also reminded the bilateral relation, trade and investment between Bangladesh and Canada and wishes to continue the good relation of two countries.
After the speech of the Honorable Brad Redekopp, special iftar and dinner were served.
