DHAKA: Bangladesh Embassy in Bangkok celebrated the 43rdAnniversary of Victory Day on December 16 with due solemnity and fervour.

Programme of the day started in the morning with the hoisting of National Flag at full mast by the Ambassador Saida MunaTasneem at the Chancery premises.

Expatriate Bangladeshis living in Thailand and the officers, members of staff of the Embassy attended the ceremony. A special prayer was offered for the salvation of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders and the martyrs of the Liberation War of Bangladesh.

The Day was celebrated with due festivity in the evening. The Ambassador of Russian Federation to Thailand Kirill M. Barsky and the Ambassador of the Republic of India to Thailand Harsh Vardhan Shringla graced the occasion as special guests.

Expatriate Bangladeshis living in Thailand along with members of their families; officers, members of staff of the Embassy with the members of their families attended the ceremony.

Messages of the President of Bangladesh, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Government of Bangladesh issued on the occasion were read out by the officers of the Embassy.

A discussion session on the theme ‘Reminiscing 1971 and moving forward’ was held, where members of the expatriate Bangladesh community took part.

In her speech, the Ambassador paid homage to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and recalled the sacrifices of the freedom fighters, liberation martyrs and women who made supreme sacrifice for bringing victory for Bangladesh.

She highlighted various economic, social and diplomatic achievements and aspirations of the present government including the ‘Vision 2021’.

The Ambassador praised the expatriates living in Thailand for their upholding and spreading the culture of Bangladesh in foreign land. Other discussants also paid homage to the Father of the Nation, martyrs of the liberation war and renewed vow to uphold the spirit of independence.

A still photographic exhibition titled ‘The Birth of a Nation: Historic Timelines’ depicting the long journey of the independence movement of Bangladesh was held at the Chancery premises.

A colourful cultural programme was also organized at the Chancery premises, where the expatriate community enthusiastically took part. The celebration of the 43rdAnniversary of Victory Day ended with a reception where homemade Bangladeshi foods were served.

BDST: 1224 HRS, DEC 21, 2014