Expats celebrate developing Bangladesh on their I-Day
ABU DHABI — The sun hadn’t even risen on Monday morning when some 500 Bangladeshi expatriates gathered outside the embassy in Abu Dhabi to mark their Independence Day.
The early morning celebration joined thousands of fellow citizens back home in singing Amar Sonar
Bangla, the national anthem, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka at 8am Bangla time (6am UAE time) on Monday.
Muhammad Imran, Bangladeshi Ambassador to the UAE, told Khaleej Times that the gathering was for a special reason. “Our celebrations this year is special as Bangladesh has, for the first time, met three requirements set by the United Nations to graduate from least developing countries to developing countries. So, all Bangladeshis across the world decided to sing the national anthem together,” Imran said.
The ambassador also hoisted the national flag at the embassy at 6.30am. The expat community also watched the celebrations in their home country live on the big screen at the embassy.
On March 26, 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh as an independent country. Ever since, there have been lot of developments in the country.
The United Nations Economic and Social Council is considering three aspects of per capita Gross National Income, Human Assets Index and Economic Vulnerability Index. Bangladesh has to maintain the progress seen in these three aspects to be recognised as a developing country.
Ambassador Imran noted that expatriates have played a significant role in helping Bangladesh get this recognition from the UN. The ambassador said the message for Bangladeshis is to put more effort.
“Instead of celebrating the achievement with a holiday, the Bangladeshi missions are working extra time and days from 7am to 7pm, between March 20 and 26. This is to create awareness among people about the achievement and the need to put extra effort from now. We are working on our National Day too,” Imran said.
Bonding with UAE strong
Talking about bilateral relations with the UAE, Imran said Bangladeshis had made significant contributions to the UAE economy in their own humble way.
“Bangladeshis here are proudly taking part in development of the UAE. In the 1970s and 80s, Bangladeshi professionals were more involved in the UAE economy. In the agriculture sector, most of the workers were from Bangladesh. Janata Bank was one of the two foreign banks to start operations here. Not many people know that in te 70s, a Bangladeshi company constructed a 90km highway in the Western Region and Abu Dhabi’s first sewerage system was designed and implemented by a Bangladeshi company as well,” Imran recalled.
Both Bangladesh and the UAE were formed in 1971, he said and noted the love shown by the UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. “In 1984, Sheikh Zayed visited Bangladesh and stayed for 10 days. Normally, the state visit is for twothree days. The bonding between the two countries is very old and strong,” the ambassador added.
A diplomatic reception was held later in the evening.
Our celebrations this year is special as Bangladesh has, for the first time, met three requirements set by the United Nations to graduate from least developing countries to developing countries.” Muhammad Imran, Bangladeshi Ambassador to the UAE