(Left) Tariq Babu and (Right) Deputy Consul General Shahnaz Gazi addressing the Bangladesh Independence Day in Los Angeles
Bangladesh attained freedom from Pakistan on December 16, 1971 after a bloody war of Independence.
It was an emotional remembrance for the Bangladeshis present to celebrate the Independence Day. Some of the freedom fighters present in the event were weeping both with joy and sorrow because they got Independence but they lost so many of their close family members during the liberation war.
The event started with the hoisting of the national flags and the national anthems were played of both the US and Bangladesh.
The opening national song was presented by the Grand opening singer Ambassador Annie Gilani.
Dr. Rafiq Zaman was the Chief Guest who reminded the Bangladeshis of the precious lives sacrificed to bring in the Independence of Bangladesh. He reminded the new generation to uphold the principles of freedom. He also thanked the organizers of the event to make it successful.
Shahnaz Gazi, Deputy Consul General of Bangladesh in Los Angeles was the Guest of Honor. She congratulated all the Bangladeshis and wished them joys of freedom. She reminded as Bangladeshis living in North America that “we have the burden of representing the rich heritage and hospitality of our nation.”
The Mayor of the historic “city of Bell” in Los Angeles, Ali Saleh was also invited as the Special Guest. He conveyed his good wishes and thanked the Bangladeshi community for inviting him to celebrate the Independence Day. He also reminded the Bangladeshis that “gaining freedom is not cheap”. A nation has to sacrifice immensely to get the fruits of freedom.
Some of the local Bangladeshi community leaders, including some freedom fighters, also spoke on the occasion. Dr. Moazzam Hossain was one of them. He was a young doctor during the Liberation War. He opened a field hospital in his native home town to treat wounded freedom fighters .He remembered with emotion how so many lives could not be saved due to inadequate medical care. He was happy that Bangladesh finally became an Independent nation.
Conveners of the Program were Tariq Babu and Mujeeb Sidique. They thanked all the Bangladeshis present to make the event successful. Since this was the second year of the event, they plan to make it next year bigger and better.
Later a colorful procession consisting of over 70 cars lined up from “Little Bangladesh” displaying US and Bangladeshi flags and paraded towards the Valley area. It was later joined by more cars in the Valley which finally paraded towards the city of Artesia and concluded in the Victory Day car procession.
M Zafar Ullah
