B’desh National Day to be celebrated in city

SHILLONG: In a first of its kind, the neighbouring country of Bangladesh will celebrate its National Day on March 26 in Meghalaya.
This was informed by Bangladesh Assistant High Commissioner to India, Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur, during the one-day workshop on Responsible Tourism, which was held at the State Convention Centre in the city on Monday.
“Bangladesh has arranged fund to organise national day celebration programme of Bangladesh on March 26 in Meghalaya as it is an important state for Bangladesh,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters after the programme, he said it is usual diplomatic custom to observe the national day of a particular country in a befitting manner.
“Our Assistant High Commission is based in Guwahati but this year Bangladesh Government has instructed me that there should be another national celebration day in Shillong also,” he said.
He added there will be simultaneous national celebration day programme in Shillong and Guwahati.
According to Monsur, Meghalaya has serious and historic contribution to the Liberation War in 1971.
Besides the historical implications, Monsur further said celebrating the national day of Bangladesh is imperative to strengthen the bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh in Shillong.
“Between Meghalaya and Bangladesh, there are a possible number of trades, particularly in items of coal, boulders, hard rocks and limestone and it is important to promote bilateral relationship between India and Bangladesh in Shillong,” he added.
During the celebration of National Day of Bangladesh, tributes will be paid to Indian soldiers who lost their lives in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.