<div style="text-align: justify; "><b><span style="font-size: 1rem;">President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife Dr. Rebeka Sultana today hosted a reception at Bangabhaban marking the country's 54th Independence and National Day - 2024, where visiting Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were present.</span><br></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Bhutanese King is now on a four-day official visit to Bangladesh at the special invitation of Bangladesh President Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the 54th Independence Day celebrations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He along with his spouse Queen Jetsun Pema joined the reception on the lawn of the Bangabhaban at about 5:00 pm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As many as 2600 guests were invited in the Independence and National Day reception.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bangabandhu's daughter and Prime Minister's sister Sheikh Rehana, President's spouse Dr Rebeka Sultan, South East Asian Regional Director for the World Health Organization (WHO) and PM's daughter Saima Wazed, attended the reception.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of the invitees, cabinet members, advisers, state ministers, Bhutanese delegation members, foreign diplomats, Supreme Court judges, senior officials of the three services, members of parliament, senior political leaders, academics, business community leaders, artistes, valiant Freedom Fighters and family members of Birshreshtha gallantry award recipients and distinguished citizens attended the programme.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Media personalities including, editors and journalist leaders also attended the reception alongside top civil and military officials.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the occasion, President Shahabuddin, Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with President's wife Dr Rebeka Sultana and Bhutanese Queen cut a cake placed at the VVIP Enclosure on the eastern side of the green field.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They also exchanged greetings among each other and attended a photo session.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Besides, they exchanged greetings with the injured freedom fighters and other dignitaries and guests at the function.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Later, the reception was followed by an iftar and dinner party.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Prior to it, a special munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pesh Imam of Bangabhaban Jame Mosque Maulana M Saiful Kabir conducted the munajat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Every year, the March 26 brings the most tragic reminiscence of the history's blackest episode that heralded a nine-month bloody ordeal from the night of March 25, 1971, achieving the long-cherished independence on December 16 the same year at the cost of a sea of blood.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the wake of the military crackdown by the then Pakistan occupation force, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proclaimed the Independence of Bangladesh through the then EPR (East Pakistan Rifles) wireless at 00-30 hours on March 26 (the night following March 25) in 1971 at his historic Road-32 residence at Dhanmondi here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The day is very auspicious and precious to the Bengali nation. - BSS</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/fas</div>