DHAKA: The Consulate General of Bangladesh on Tuesday celebrated the 43rd anniversary of Victory Day in New York in a festive and befitting manner.

A press release, signed by the consulates’ first secretary Sayeda Jesmin Sultana Milky, said on Wednesday.

According to the release, the consulate chalked out an elaborated program marking the day.

First part of the celebration began with hoisting national flag atop at the Chancery at 9:30am followed by reading out the messages of Bangladesh president, prime minister, foreign minister and state minister for foreign affairs.

They also offered special prayer for the salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his family members and continued prosperity and progress of the country.

Second part of the celebration included discussion and cultural function at the Auditorium of the Consulate on Wednesday.

A large number of people of the Bangladesh diaspora took part in the function with Consul General M Shameem Ahsan in the chair.

Dr AK Abdul Momen, Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United Nations, officials of the consulate and the permanent mission, freedom fighters, representatives of various social and cultural organizations, among others, were in attendance.

In his speech, Momen described Bangladesh as a star performer in many respects which helped earn international recognition under present leadership.

Addressing the function, Shameem paid tribute to Bangabandhu, and the martyred freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War.

He called upon the Bangladesh diaspora to come forward to realize the dream of “Sonar Bangla” envisioned by Bangabandhu and to implement “Digital Bangladesh” under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.

Other discussants highlighted the importance of the day and urged all to come forward to contribute in the development of Bangladesh.

Stellar performance by the artistes, who comprised of the family members of the consulate and the permanent mission officials and diaspora in New York, enthralled the audience.

The function was followed by serving traditional Bangladeshi cuisines to the guests.

BDST: 1604 HRS, DEC 18, 2014