Bangladesh Armed Forces Day celebrated at the British Army Museum

Ansar Ahmed Ullah:

Bangladesh’s armed forces are not only working to ensure the security of the country, but also gaining reputation for the country and the nation by working in the international arena, especially in the UN peacekeeping mission commented Brigadier General AKM Aminul Haque, Defence Adviser at the Bangladesh High Commission in London. He added Bangladesh is ranked one of the top UN troops contributing country.

The Brigadier General was addressing a reception & dinner to celebrate Bangladesh Armed Forces Day 2019 organised by the Defence Wing of the High Commission at the British National Army Museum, Chelsea, London on 25 November 2019.

Brigadier General AKM Aminul Haque gave a brief history of the War of Liberation of Bangladesh. He said following the declaration of Independence by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 26 March 1971 and the formation of Provincial Government on 17 April 1971 Bangladesh armed forces of Army, Navy & Air Force launched combined attack on Pakistani forces on 21 November. Since then, the date is observed as Bangladesh Armed Forces Day. The dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to build the country’s armed forces as a modern force, is being implemented. He added, with the tireless work of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s armed forces have gained worldwide recognition as a modern and orderly force in the world. Bangladesh armed forces is a symbol of bravery & glory of our great Liberation War and in establishing peace across the world. He also paid respect to 3 million martyrs & victims, freedom fighters, armed forces and the allied armed forces of India.

Saida Muna Tasneem, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to the UK in her short brief illustrated the progress and development of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Addressing the occasion, High Commissioner lauded the role of armed forces in protecting and building nation besides bringing in a good name for Bangladesh by performing in various global engagements, including in the UN Peacekeeping Missions and Peace Support Operations. She added, the armed forces of Bangladesh also played an important role in building roads, houses, distributing foods and relief materials among the displaced Rohingya people.

At the event, High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem, Deputy Minister of Wales July Morgan, members of House of Lords, Dean of Diplomatic Forum, and Brigadier General Simon of UK joined the Defence Adviser Brigadier General AKM Aminul Haque in cutting a cake.

The event was conducted by Assistant Defence Adviser at the Bangladesh High Commission Lt. Colonel Sohel Ahmed. Guests included high ranking officers of British Army, veteran freedom fighters, organisers of 1971 War of Liberation in the UK, Deputy Minister of Wales July Morgan, Members of House of Lords, Dean of Diplomatic Forum, Ambassadors, Defence Advisors and diplomats of various countries, senior military and civil officers of UK ministry of defence, foreign and home ministries, professors from different UK universities including Cambridge, Sheffield, Oxford, Portsmouth, different media personnel and members of both the UK and the British Bengali community.

On the occasion, a documentary film was screened depicting the Bangladesh forces, the history of the Liberation War and country’s development. A digital photographic exhibition on valiant freedom fighters of 1971 was also mounted.  A banquet was organised for the guests. Gifts were given to the visiting foreign guests informing them of Bangladesh’s progress.