The Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Kathmandu celebrated Mujibnagar Day

7th May : Kathmandu, Nepal--

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in Kathmandu celebrated ‘Mujibnagar Day’ in a befitting manner.

17 April is the Mujibnagar Day of Bangladesh. On this day in 1971, the Mujibnagar government that is the government in exile formed by the leaders of the Awami League, who were leading the liberation war for the independence of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) from Pakistan. This government was formed at the Baidyanathtala mango grove of Meherpur, a former Subdivision of Kustia district bordering India. The oath taking was witnessed by hundreds of foreign journalists who had assembled there to hail the birth of a new nation.

The formation of the Mujibnagar government and its pronouncement to the world at large is really a red-letter event in our national history, especially after the thumping victory of the Awami League in the elections of 1970 under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The president of the new nation was the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; Syed Nazrul Islam became the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu; Tajuddin Ahmed, the Prime Minister; M. Mansur Ali, the Finance Minister; M. Quamruz Zaman, the Home, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister; and General M. A. G. Osmani who was then a retired colonel was made the C-in-C of the Bangladesh Armed Forces.

In this connection, the Embassy drew up various programmes that also included discussion on the significance of the day, special prayer and cultural programme with participation from Bangladeshi and Nepali artists at the Nepal Army Club Auditorium on 04 May 2011. 

The program started with the National Anthem of Bangladesh and Nepal played by the Nepal Army band. One minute silence was observed to pay respect to the martyrs of the liberation war in 1971. Nepal’s contributions during Bangladesh’s liberation war were also highlighted in the meeting. 

Right Honorable Mr. Paramananda Jha, Vice President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal attended the program as chief guest. Right Honorable Mr. Paramananda Jha, Vice President, Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. 

Honorable State Minister Ministry of Liberation War Affairs of Bangladesh, Captain (retd) A.B. Tajul Islam, MP, eminent intellectual of Bangladesh Prof. Dr. Anisuzzaman, Ex-Secretary General, Mukti Jodha Sangsad ( Freedom Fighter’s Council) Mr Md. Salauddin, Secretary General, Mukti Jodha Sangsad ( Freedom Fighter’s Council) Mr Monwarul Haq Lablu, Investigation officer, International War Crimes Tribunal Mr. ASM Shamsul Arefin, President of Nepal Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Laxmi Bahadur Shresta and Ambassador of Bangladesh HE Dr. Neem Chandra Bhowmik spoke on this occasion. Additional Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Mr. Mustafa Kamal was also present on this occasion. 

Member of Constituent Assembly, important political leaders, secretaries, ambassadors, diplomats, former ambassadors to Bangladesh, high government officials, media persons, artists, number of Nepali students, professionals, media persons, intellectuals, expatriate Bangladeshis, officers & staff members of this Embassy and their family members attended the above mentioned programmes.