Sydney, 18 October 2022:

'Sheikh Russel Dibosh-2022' and the 59th birthday of Shaheed Sheikh Russel was celebrated with due dignity, fervour and enthusiasm by the Consulate General of Bangladesh in Sydney. This evening, a comprehensive programme was organized at the Sydney’s Consulate General premises to mark this occasion. Leading dignitaries from major Sydney-based social, political, cultural, and business organizations and the mission officials join the event. Notably, for the second consecutive year, ‘Sheikh Russel Dibosh’ is being celebrated simultaneously across the country and in Bangladesh Missions abroad as a class 'A' national day.

The program organized to mark the day included readings from the holy scriptures, laying of wreaths on the portrait of Sheikh Russel, prayers for the forgiveness of the departed souls of Sheikh Russel and other martyred members of the family of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and prayers for the future prosperity of Bangladesh. On this occasion, messages from the President and the Prime Minister were read out to the audience.  A special documentary was screened followed by the discussion on the life of Shaheed Sheikh Russel. After that, a cultural program was held with the participation of children and teenagers. Young artists enthralled the guests with their dance, song and poetry recitals.

Later, the Consul General addressed the audience to talk about the transient but eventful life of Shaheed Sheikh Russel. Consul General began his address by paying deep tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He commemorated the life of Shaheed Sheikh Russel and conveyed his profound love for Sheikh Russel on his 59^th birthday. He said that although today is Sheikh Russel's 59th birthday, yet Russel is still known as the “little Russel” to the children, teenagers and youth of Bangladesh. He also commented that the theme of this year's Sheikh Russel Dibosh, ‘শেখ রাসেল নির্মলতার প্রতীক, দুরন্ত প্রাণবন্ত নির্ভীক’ is befitting and appropriate. He further said that the tragic loss of Sheikh Russel deeply saddens all our hearts. He urged everyone to put a smile on the face of the children of Bangladesh by turning grief into strength and to unite and work together to realize Bangabandhu's dream of a Golden Bangladesh free of hunger and poverty.

At the end of the programme, a cake was cut with the children in attendance to celebrate Sheikh Russel's birthday and gifts were presented with the participating children.