The 104th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children's Day 2024 were celebrated at the Bangladesh Embassy in Portugal's capital Lisbon (March 17, 2024) with due dignity and enthusiasm.
In the morning, Ambassador Regina Ahmed started the day's program by hoisting the national flag in the presence of all the embassy staff at the Chancery premises. Later, a festive event was organized in the Chancery premises.At the beginning of the ceremony, all the embassy staff and expatriate Bangladeshis living in Portugal paid tribute to the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths. On this occasion, the President of Portugal Awami League Zahirul Alam Jasim and Jubo League, Chhatra League and various organizations and individuals offered wreaths and then the message given by His Excellency the President of Bangladesh, the Honorable Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs was read out on the occasion of the day. After that, in the discussion meeting held on Bangabandhu's life and work, the speakers emphasized on following Bangabandhu's ideals for the prosperity and development of Bangladesh. Honorable Ambassador Regina Ahmed in her speech paid deep respect to the memory of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and congratulated all the children on the occasion of National Children's Day. He also said that following the ideals of Bangabandhu, under the dynamic leadership of his worthy daughter, Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is moving forward with firm steps towards building Bangabandhu's dream of Sonar Bangla. A documentary on Bangabandhu's life and work was then screened. To celebrate the day, the Embassy organized a painting competition in two different age categories with the participation of children from Park International School in Lisbon on 15 March 2024.6 teachers of the said school and 50 children from two classes voluntarily participated in the competition. Also, the animation film made on Bangabandhu's childhood is to be shown on the occasion. The theme of the film is narrated in Portuguese and children watch the animated film with great interest. Prizes were distributed among all the competing children who participated in the event.On the occasion of the 104th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children's Day, Bangladeshi children and Bangladeshis living in Portugal joined the Ambassador in cutting the cake. At the end of the ceremony, the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members were prayed for the creation of a happy and prosperous Bangladesh. At the end of the event, Iftar was served to the guests.