26 March 2024:

Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon celebrated the 53^rd Anniversary of Independence and National Day on 26 March 2024 with due festivity and enthusiasm. First part of the day long program included formally hoisting of the National Flag, laying floral wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation, reading out of the messages, screening of documentary and discussion session. Second part of the programme included a National Day Reception hosted in a five-star hotel, with participation of the high officials of the Myanmar Government including Deputy Foreign Minister, and Chief Minister for the Yangon Region Government and Mayor of Yangon City.

In the evening, a grand reception was organized at the Lotte Hotel in Yangon as the main event of the Independence Day which was attended by more than 300 people including more than hundred diplomats comprising almost all the Ambassadors/Heads of Mission, heads of more than 15 UN agencies, senior officials of the Myanmar Government, Myanmar businessmen and dignitaries, members of the Bangladeshi community and Embassy officials.

In his brief remarks at the reception, the Ambassador of Bangladesh referred to the undisputed leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in achieving our independence. He highlighted significant achievements of Bangladesh in the socio-economic field, including making Bangladesh a role model for development under the leadership of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. After the ambassador's speech, a documentary prepared locally by the embassy, was screened highlighting the independence and recent developments of Bangladesh. Also a photo exhibition on liberation war and development projects of Bangladesh was organized. Later, a cake was cut to celebrate Bangladesh's Independence and National Day. Dances performed by artistes from Bangladesh and the embassy family in combination with traditional Bangladeshi Dhol and folk music created a mesmerizing atmosphere. The cultural presentation was widely appreciated by the audience. The varied stage setting and creative decorative arrangements in the arena attracted special attention of the guests. Presentation of Bangladeshi heritage as well as modern Bangladesh was widely appreciated by all guests. This event of Bangladesh added a new dimension vis-à-vis the national day celebrations of various countries organized in Yangon in recent times.  

Guests were hosted to Iftar and dinner with a variety of traditional Bangladeshi delicacies. A lovely souvenir bag with a collection of jute-made jewelry bag, Bangladeshi tea and traditional dry sweets were gifted to the guests. It may be noted that a discussion meeting was organized in the morning at the Chancery on the occasion where Bangladesh Ambassador Dr. Md. Monwar Hossain paid deep tribute to the great architect of Independence, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He paid homage to the three million martyrs, brave freedom fighters and more than two lakh women who made the highest sacrifice. He highlighted the contribution of the "Mujibnagar Government", people from different professions, expatriates and foreign friends during the liberation war. The ambassador called upon all Bangladeshis including expatriates to play active role in realizing the dream of a developed-prosperous-'Smart Bangladesh' by 2041 as envisioned by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Embassy also observed the Genocide Day on 25 March 2024 with due solemnity through a discussion meeting at the embassy.