14 December 2022, Bandar Seri Begawan

Bangladesh High Commission in Brunei Darussalam observed the Martyred Intellectuals Day with due solemnity on 14 December 2022. The program began with the recital of the Holy Quran, followed by one minute's silence observed to show profound respect to the martyred intellectuals who were viciously killed on the fateful night of 14 December 1971, only two days before the glorious victory we earned over the Pakistani forces. The Bangladesh High Commissioner Mrs Nahida Rahman Shumona read out the messages sent on this occasion by the Hon'ble President and the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh. A documentary was screened to make all who were present realize the significance of this day. The Bangladesh High Commissioner condemned in the strongest possible terms this ruthless killing of the intellectuals and called it a paradigm of barbarism and inhumanity in the history of independence. She felt that it dealt a terrible blow to a nation whose transition from the clutches of war to the new era of independence and development could have been different with immense benefit from the keen and bright intellect of the martyrs. Yet, the High Commissioner expressed, today Bangladesh is widely regarded as the role model of development, while acknowledging the setback the nation received from the irreparable loss of the public intellectuals on 14 December 1971, and on 25 March 1971 as well. She expressed her sincere gratitude and thankfulness towards the Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who has always put the interest and well-being of the people of Bangladesh above everything else, and is relentlessly working to build the 'Sonar Bangla' as envisioned by the Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bengali of all times and the principal architect of the nation. In the end, candles were lit by assembled guests including diplomats, Bangladesh and Bruneian community members.