Bangladeshis celebrate Independence Day

Independence Day special - by Kol Balish

Abu Dhabi: Bangladeshs achievements in infrastructure development are worth a special celebration, a top Bangladeshi diplomat said here on sunday on the occasion of the nations 47th Independence Day.

On Independence Day, we also celebrate our nations achievements. We are proud of Bangladeshs progress in infrastructure development, especially the 40 per cent completion of 6km-long bridge costing $4billion [Dh 14.68 billion] on Padma river without any foreign funding, said Mohammad Imran, the Bangladeshi ambassador to the UAE. Due to be completed in 2018, the bridge linking the central and southern parts of the country will be an iconic achievement, he said.

The ambassador was speaking to Gulf News on the sidelines of the Independence Day celebrations at the Bangladeshi embassy in Abu Dhabi. Bangladeshs governments recent decision to establish a $10-billion (Dh37.6 billion) sovereign investment fund to support infrastructure development will also be a shot in the arm, he added.

Imran raised the national flag and paid floral tributes in front of pictures of national leaders at the event attended by a large number of Bangladeshi expatriates.

Speaking to Gulf News, Jalal Hussain, 38, a construction worker who has been living in Abu Dhabi for 10 years, said he was proud to highlight the progress he witnessed in his home country. I was really proud to notice progress in road network in recent years in cities like Dhaka. When I visited home last time, 2.5 years ago, the change was easily identifiable as I am living abroad, Hussain said.

Mahfusul Rahman, 30, a salesman, said Bangladesh has succeeded in making its presence felt in the international arena in recent years. Earlier my young country was not known at all. When I watch international news, I find the difference now. Many successful small rural development projects have attracted international attention, he said.

Zakir Hussain, 54, an electrical engineer, said that, for him, Independence Day was an occasion to remember martyrs who sacrificed their lives to win the countrys freedom. I pay my tributes to them, he said.

The ambassador also hosted a reception for invited guests including UAE officials, foreign diplomats and community members on Sunday evening to celebrate the occasion.

Source: http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/society/bangladeshis-celebrate-independence-day-1.2000772