<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">The “Historic 7th March” was celebrated on Tuesday at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi in memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s inspirational speech delivered on 7 March 1971 at the then Race Course Maidan in Dhaka.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Md. Mustafizur Rahman, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, started the programme by hoisting the national flag at the High Commission premises and placing wreaths on the portrait of the Father of the Nation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">A discussion programme was organized at the Bangabandhu Hall of the High Commission.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The messages issued by the President and the Prime Minister on the occasion of the day were read out by the Mission officials.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A documentary on Bangabandhu’s speech was also screened. Among others, Shaban Mahmood, Minister (Press) of the Mission made remarks highlighting the significance and importance of the day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In his remarks, High Commissioner Rahman termed Bangabandhu’s speech as the ‘Best Bengali Poem’ and a ‘Charter of Liberation’.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said that this is a unique example of how a speech awakens the entire nation and encourages them to liberate the country.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shedding light on the recognition of the speech as a world heritage by UNESCO, the High Commissioner added that the international recognitionof the 7th March speech is eventually the acknowledgement of the non-communal spirit and democratic values thatBangabandhu had nurtured throughout his life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He further said that as long as there is a struggle for freedom from subjugation and protest against oppression in the history of human civilization, Bangabandhu’s speech will continue to be an eternal source of inspiration for all the oppressed people of the world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lastly, a special prayer was offered for the salvation of the souls of the Father of the Nation, his family members and all the martyrs who played a historical role in all stages of movements for freedom and Liberation War of Bangladesh as well as well as for the peace, progress and prosperity of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.Officials and employees from the Bangladesh High Commission and expatriate Bangladeshis were present at the event. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>