Kathmandu: The Bangladesh Embassy at Kathmandu in Nepal observed the Martyrs Day and the International Mother Language Day on 21 February by organising two programmes to commemorate the Day with due solemnity and respect.

The day’s programme began with the hoisting of the national flag at half mast at the Chancery by the Ambassador Mashfee Binte Shams in the morning. This was followed by ‘probhatpheri’ and placing of floral wreaths at the Shaheed Minar followed by observance of one minute’s silence as a mark of respect to the Language Martyrs. A ‘Doa Mahfil’ was also held in the morning at the Chancery where all present prayed for the eternal peace of Language Martyrs, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, members of his family and others who had been sacrificed their lives for language and the country.

The messages of the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs were also read out during the programme.

In the afternoon, the Embassy organised a special cultural programme to commemorate Amar Ekushey and International Mother Language Day.

The programme began with a speech by UNESCO representative in Kathmandu. It was followed by rendering of Bangla songs by noted promising Bangladeshi band ‘Connected’. The band presented a mesmerizing show featuring selected songs in a contemporary format lead by vocal of Fahim Kamal Chowdhury. The programme also presented recitation of Nepali poems by Nepalese poets. A Nepali band ‘Rock Siddhi’ also presented some fusion music.

The programme was attended by the Ambassadors, diplomats, representatives of the SAARC Secretariat, officials of Nepal Government, Nepalese dignitaries and political leaders, members of the civil society and representatives of the print and electronic media and the expatriate Bangladesh community living in Kathmandu.