<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC observed the historic 7th March, commemorating Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's landmark speech in 1971, which called the nation to be ready to fight for freedom.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The fiery speech of Bangabandhu on March 7 at a mammoth rally in the then "Race Course Maidan", now Suhrawardy Udyan, inspired the freedom-loving Bangalees to fight and earn the long-cherished independence of Bangladesh in 1971.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The day's program of the Embassy started with the formal hoisting of the National Flag by Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran on the Embassy premises in the morning. Officials and employees of the Mission were present on the occasion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Later, the Ambassador placed a wreath at the bust of the Father of the Nation at the Bangabandhu Corner of the Embassy in the presence of Embassy officials.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After laying the wreath, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the great leader.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The messages issued on the occasion by President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were read out by Minister (Political-I) &amp; Head of Chancery Dewan Ali Ashraf and Counsellor (Political-III) Shamima Yeasmin Smrite.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Later, a video film on the historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu was screened.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Afterwards, a discussion highlighting the significance of the day was organized.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Taking part in the discussion, Ambassador Imran paid deepest homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the historic March 7 and highlighted different aspects of his epic speech.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He termed March 7 as an unforgettable day in the history of the nation and said on this day in 1971, Bangabandhu delivered the momentous speech at the then Race Course Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) in Dhaka, effectively declaring the War of Independence.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Realizing the importance of the historic speech, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has included the speech in its Memory of the World International Register, a list of the world's important documentary heritage, he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ambassador Imran called upon all to work unitedly to build a hunger-and-poverty-free happy and prosperous 'Sonar Bangla' (Golden Bengal), as dreamt by Bangabandhu, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The day’s program ended with offering a special prayers seeking divine blessings for eternal peace of the departed soul of Bangabandhu as well as Bangladesh's continued peace, progress and prosperity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">First Secretary Md Ataur Rahman conducted the program. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>