Bangladesh Embassy in Rome has observed the historic Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman amid great esteem and fervor.
Simultaneously, Ambassador Abdus Sobhan Sikder began the countdown to the year-long celebrations of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth centenary, expressing solidarity with the central countdown.
A seminar was held at the embassy's auditorium on Friday afternoon to observe both occasions, according to a press release.
Embassy officials read out the speeches given by President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the beginning of the ceremony.
A large number of expatriate Bangladeshi nationals, as well as leaders of several political, social, and cultural organizations participated in the discussion.
Abdus Sobhan Sikder said: "Bangabandhu returned to Bangladesh on January 10 but was released from Pakistani jail on January 8.
"Although Bangladesh achieved victory on December 16, people realized the spirit of victory upon the return of Bangabandhu in Bangladesh. People were still skeptical whether we had truly attained independence till then."
Expressing his sorrow, the ambassador said: "Bangabandhu has worked all his life for the independence of Bangali people, but unfortunately it was the Bangali who assassinated him in the end.
"Bangabandhu always dreamed of a developed 'Sonar Bangla' and has taken every initiative to implement it, but it is very unfortunate for us as a nation that he was assassinated before that. Now, Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina will complete his unfinished work of building a happy and prosperous country."
The Bangladesh government has declared to celebrate Mujib Year, also called “Mujib Borsho,” from March 17, 2020 till March 17, 2021 to commemorate Bangabandhu's birth centenary and to highlight the life and works of Bangabandhu to the next generation.
In Bangladesh, Mujib Year will be celebrated through various programs throughout the year, and the embassy will also celebrate Mujib Year through various programs, the ambassador added.
The celebrations to be continued in Italy include discussion meetings, art exhibits on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, sports competitions, and special consular services in various regions of Italy. The Ambassador called upon all expatriate Bangladeshis to participate freely in these programs.