Bangladeshis celebrate National Day in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi - The ceremony, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, was broadcast live across all missions.

Expats from Bangladesh celebrated their 49th Independence and National Day with various activities in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. There was a bonanza for expats as Janata Bank, one of the oldest financial institutions and the only Bangladeshi bank in the UAE, launched its ATM services, Mohammad Imran, Bangladeshi Ambassador to the UAE, told Khaleej Times.
"Our celebrations started at the embassy at 6am, as we joined our fellow Bangladeshis in singing our national anthem Amar Sonar Bangla. The ceremony, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka, was broadcast live across all missions. We had embassy officials and community members witness the entire ceremony live from here. After sunrise, we hoisted the flag here.
"We paid tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. We held a meeting with officials and community leaders to discuss issues and developments, following the visit of Sheikh Hasina earlier this year," Imran said.
Later in the day, the envoy inaugurated Janata Bank's first ATM in the city. "There will be a total of eight ATMs across the UAE in the next few months. This will be a great service for the community. As of now, the bank has started a debit card facility, but soon credit cards will also be launched. I was presented with the first card and withdrew money from the ATM," Imran said.
To mark the occasion, cultural events were held at the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School, principal Mir Anisul Hasan said.
"There was a symposium, recitation of poems like 'swadhinata' (independence), dances 'Bangladesh Go Ahead', and 'Martyrs Sleep in this Soil'. A competition to sing national anthem was held, which was part of an initiative held globally across all Bangladeshi schools," Hasan said.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi