Bengali New Year – Consul General of Bangladesh

Happy Independence Day & Bengali New Year from Consul General of Bangladesh

On the auspicious occasion of Bangladesh Independence and National Day, I would like to extend my warm wishes to the readers of Easy Milano. At the same time, on behalf of all the Bangladeshi citizens in Northern Italy, I wish to pay deep homage to the valiant freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the sake of the nation’s independence.  With gratitude, we recall the contribution of the architect of Bangladesh, the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose supreme leadership gave birth to a new nation, who dedicated his entire life to construct a “Sonar Bangla” (Golden Bengal) and sacrificed his life for this cause.

On the eve of the 45th anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh. The country has made remarkable progress in all sectors. Our Honourable Prime Minister, Her Excellency, Sheikh Hasina, has received wide national and international recognition for her dynamic and robust premiership. Just in September 2015, she was awarded the United Nation’s highest environmental award, Champion of the Earth, in recognition of her commitment to address climate change, a fundamental issue in today’s world.

We would like to acknowledge that, since the establishment of diplomatic ties; Bangladesh- Italy relations remain friendly and cordial, and are growing from strength to strength.

A significant number of Bangladeshi citizens are residing in the eight regions of Northern Italy under the Consulate’s jurisdiction and are significantly contributing to the Italian workforce and the economy. These expatriates bring an element of cultural diversity to the regions where they live. This diligent and sincere section of Northern Italy lets their work speak for themselves.

“Baro Mashe Tero Parbon” (13 festivals in 12 months) Bangladesh being a land of fairs and festivals, there are many great cultural contents we can be proud of and share with the Milanese people. At this time of year, Bangladeshi citizens all over the world have multiple occasions to celebrate. First and foremost, the Independence and National Day on March 26th, alongside April 14th, the Bengali New Year. For the latter of these, in Bangladesh, with the first rays of the sun, all Bangladeshis wear traditional red and white clothes and take part in huge colourful processions with music, festoons and masks and organise Boishakhi fairs. In an effort to keep this tradition alive, even while abroad, the Consulate organised a Boishakhi fair last year and intends to do the same this year.

Both of these occasions offer the local communities moments and memories to share. Music and tastes of our homeland, which we enjoy sharing with the local communities, gives us the privilege to introduce our culture here as well as providing us an opportunity to encourage integration and mutual understanding.

Allow me to extend a warm invitation to those of you, who would like to take part in any of our festivals and to wish the very best for the days ahead to the Milanese.

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Ms. Rezina Ahmed
Consul General of Bangladesh in Milan, Italy