JEDDAH — Bangladesh expatriates on Tuesday paid deep homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country in 1971, marked the 49th Victory Day in Kingdom with great enthusiasm and true national spirit. In Riyadh, Bangladesh Embassy hosted a gala party at the Cultural Palace in diplomatic quarter in which ambassadors, diplomats, Saudi officials and businessmen participated. Deputy Governor of Riyadh Prince Mohammed Bin Abdurrahman attended the program as chief guest. Ambassador Golam Moshi along with the chief guest cut a cake celebrating the event. In his speech at the reception, Ambassador Moshi said Bangladesh has achieved Independence after nine month long bloody struggle for liberation under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He also paid homage to the supreme sacrifice of three million martyrs, freedom fighters and their bereaved families that endure unimaginable hardship during the Liberation War. The Ambassador thanked the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, who extended their support to and facilitated the well-beings of Bangladeshi expatriates in the Kingdom. Scores of Bangladeshis gathered at the consulate here to mark their national day in early morning hours. Their voices were filled with emotions to show respect for the Liberation War martyrs as they have joined thousands of fellow citizens back home signing in chorus of "Amar Sonar Bangla", the national anthem led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back home in Dhaka. Bangladesh Consul General F.M. Borhan Uddin hoisted the national flag at the consulate, where formal function held to commemorate the Independence and National Day. Borhan Uddin and his compatriots paid tribute by standing in solemn silence for some time in memory of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War. The officials read out speeches of President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and foreign minister. In her message, which was read out here, the Prime Minister said, "The independence earned through supreme sacrifices of millions of people is the greatest achievement of the Bangla nation. To ensure that this achievement remains meaningful, all have to know the history of our great Liberation War and retain the spirit of independence. The spirit of the Liberation War has to be passed on to generation to generations." In the evening, Bangladesh Consulate hosted a gala reception where hundreds of community members, prominent Saudi dignitaries including Foreign Ministry Makkah region director Jamal Balkhyor and members of diplomatic corps, representatives of a cross-section of expatriate Bangladesh community, participated. Borhan Uddin appraised the achievements of Bangladesh in last five years to the audience. He said that country's per capita income has increased from $928 in 2010 to $1,752 in 2018 that reflects prosperity of the country. He also shed the light upon FDI, which rose to $3 billion from $1 billion in 2011. Consul General also said that foreign currency reserves have surged from $34 billion in 2018 from $10 billion in 2009. He termed the country development as milestone for Bangladesh under the stewardship of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Borhan Uddin along with foreign diplomatic corps cut the cake during grand reception. The young girls of Bangladesh International School of Bangla and English sections dress up in dark green saris with red borders and blouses, enthralled audience with their patriotic songs and cultural programs.
