President Mohammed Shahabuddin and First Lady Dr Rebeka Sultana hosted a grand reception at Bangabhaban on Monday to commemorate the country’s 54th Victory Day.
Special guest President José Ramos-Horta of East Timor, currently on an official visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, graced the event on Bangabhaban’s lush green lawn.
The reception, which ran from 3:28pm to 4:40pm, was attended by several thousand distinguished guests.
Among them were Chief Justice Syed Rafaat Hassan, members of the council of advisers, ambassadors, and high commissioners from various countries.
Supreme Court judges, chiefs of the three armed services, senior political figures, academics, business leaders, artists, valiant freedom fighters, families of Bir Shreshtha gallantry award recipients, Indian war veterans, and prominent citizens also joined the celebration.
Newspaper editors, journalist leaders, and high-ranking civil and military officials further added to the festive gathering.
As part of the celebration, President Shahabuddin and his East Timorese counterpart jointly cut a ceremonial cake at the VVIP enclosure.
The president then exchanged greetings with injured freedom fighters, student representatives, dignitaries, and other guests, adding warmth to the commemorative occasion.
