Bangladeshi embassy honors founding father over landmark independence speech
Bangladeshi Ambassador to Korea Abida Islam, second from right, places a floral tribute in front of a sculpture of Bangladesh's founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to mark the 40th anniversary of his independence speech at the embassy in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, March 7. Courtesy of Embassy of Bangladesh in Korea
By Yi Whan-woo
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Korea commemorated Bangladesh's founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, March 7, the day when he delivered a landmark speech that propelled the country's independence 40 years ago.
The 19-minute speech inspired the then-people of East Pakistan to rise up against West Pakistan whose leaders exploited the East economically, leading to popular grievances, according to the embassy.
Led by Bangladeshi Ambassador to Korea Abida Islam, three commemorative programs were held online and offline. The participants remembered Bangabandhu's struggle for freedom as reflected in his speech listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.
The offline ceremony began with the hoisting of the national flag in front of the embassy in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. A limited number of embassy officials joined in accordance with social distancing rule over the COVID-19 pandemic.
The participants then joined the ambassador in placing a floral tribute to the sculpture of the Father of the Nation inside the chancery.
The envoy delivered commemorative messages from Bangladeshi leaders ― President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangabandhu.
The ceremony continued with a screening of Bangabandhu's 1971 speech translated by the embassy into Korean.
A discussion session was later held, with the discussants sharing their thoughts on the significance of the speech.
Ambassador Islam highlighted that the speech “inspired the entire freedom-loving Bengali nation to join the struggle for independence” and that “this recognition is a befitting tribute to the sacrifice of millions of martyrs.”
Bangladeshi Ambassador to Korea Abida Islam delivers a speech during a ceremony at the country's embassy in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, March 7, to commemorate the country's founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his 1971 landmark speech. Courtesy of Embassy of Bangladesh in Korea
The online programs were divided into two discussions, with the first one involving embassy officials and scholars in Bangladesh and Korea and the second one with Bangladeshi expats here.
Among the participants in the first discussion were Syed Manzoorul Islam, a writer, novelist and columnist, and Lee Yun-young, a visiting research fellow of Seoul National University's Asia Center.
Ambassador Islam noted inclusion of Bangabandhu's speech on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register, explaining the historical importance and the need for wider publicity in Korea were reasons for the embassy's translation of the speech into Korean.
Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam touched upon the background of the speech and its effects on the political situation. He also shared his personal experience of March 7, 1971.
Lee spoke about the speech from an international perspective. He said the speech is “never-ending in its appeal, surpassing time and ushering in unprecedented new phenomenon and dimensions in the lives of the people of Bangladesh as well as the world.”
Bangladeshi citizens who live in Korea joined in the second discussion recalled Bangabandhu's charismatic leadership and contribution to the independence of Bangladesh.
Ambassador Islam called for joint efforts from expatriate Bangladeshis to realize the long cherished dream of “Sonar Bangla,” meaning Golden Bengal, as envisioned by Bangabandhu.