DHAKA: The constriction works of the 2nd Shaheed Minar (Martyr’s Memorial) in the USA has begun at Paterson city of New Jersey state on Saturday, said a press release on Sunday.

The Consulate General of Bangladesh at New York issued the release, which said the works began thorough a colorful ceremony at Westside Park of the city at 11:00am local time Saturday.

Shameem Ahsan, Consul General of Bangladesh in New York, attended the function as the chief guest while Paterson City Mayor Jose Torres, Plainsboro Township councilman Dr. Nurun Nabi, local councilmen, and representatives from Passic County Office, elected US Officials, and members of the Bangladesh community, among others, present there.

For constructing the Shaheed Minar, the Passic County granted a total of $150,000 for the project in 2013 while the Paterson City Council allocated the land at the Westside Park in 2012 “to honor Bangladesh community in Paterson city and to acknowledge the multicultural significance of the mother tongue of the diverse immigrant communities”.

Addressing the function, Shameem thanked the mayor of the Passic County Board, project partners and the community leaders on behalf of the Bangladesh government for their noble initiative and support.

He also highlighted on the historic aspect of the Shaheed Minar.

The mayor highly appreciated the Bangladesh community in Paterson whom he recognized as an integral part of the city.

The construction works is expected to be completed before December 16, 2014 as it can be formally unveil on the next Victory Day. Upon completion, this one will be the second Shaheed Minar across the USA after the first one of Texas.

BDST: 1227 HRS, OCT 12, 2014