Report by Humayun Kabir from Lisbon, Portugal. Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon observed the “Historic 7th March” with due dignity commemorating the iconic speech of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered on 7th March 1971.
The programme on this occasion was held at the auditorium of the Chancery. All members of the Mission and many Bangladeshi expatriates living in Portugal attended the programme. In the morning, the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Portugal H.E Rezina Ahmed inaugurated the day’s programme by ceremonially hoisting the National Flag at the Chancery in the presence of all members of the Mission.
Later, Ambassador Rezina Ahmed along with officials of the Embassy placed a floral wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Afterwards, messages from the Hon’ble President and the Hon’ble Prime Minister, released on the occasion, were read out by the officials of the Mission. Then, a round of discussion was held on the importance and significance of the Day. At the discussion segment of the programme, the speakers elaborated on the significance of the historic speech in the history of Bangladesh. In the concluding remarks, Ambassador Rezina Ahmed paid profound regards to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
She added that 7th March is a red-letter day in the history of Bangladesh. Giving a background, she mentioned that the 7th March speech of Bangabandhu united the whole nation to attain independence and economic emancipation from the then-Pakistani ruler. She further mentioned that the Bengali nation started preparing for an armed war, inspired by the magnetic speech of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu. The speech delivered before an audience of a million people shaped the destiny of Bangladesh and its people. She remarked the 7th March speech was one of the best speeches delivered in world history. She also said that the charisma of Bangabandhu’s undisputed leadership and the overwhelming response from the people as seen during the 7th March speech are rare in world history. This is what prompted UNESCO to include the speech in the ‘Memory of the World Register’ as a documentary heritage of humankind. The Ambassador urged everyone to work together under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to make Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bengal. for the development of Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
A video documentary on the “Historic 7th March” was screened after the discussion session. A special prayer was offered for the salvation of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the martyred members of his family, martyrs and valiant freedom fighters of the War of Liberation, and for the peace, progress and prosperity of Bangladesh. At the end of the programme, the Ambassador exchanged views with Bangladeshi expatriates and urged them to send remittances through banking channel to Bangladesh.