Foreign Ministry has observed Bangladesh Foreign Service Day to commemorate the first flag hoisting day abroad on April 18, 1971.
This is the first time foreign ministry has taken the initiative under the directive of Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.
“On this day in 1971, 48 years ago from today, Bangladeshi diplomats and staff stationed in Calcutta defying the oppressive and occupation regime of Pakistan took over the Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner’s Office and hoisted the Bangladesh national flag atop and thus established the first Bangladesh Mission abroad,” the minister said at a programme at the Foreign Service Academy Sugandha Thursday.
The ministry also established Genocide Corner in a historic room at Sugandha, which was built in 1960 when Queen Elizabeth II came to Dhaka and stayed here.
“We have placed a book in this Genocide Corner and we would be pleased if you write your comments,” the minister said.
Prior to April 18 event, two Bangladeshi diplomats, Second Secretary KM Shehabuddin and Assistant Press Attaché of the then Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi Amzadul Haq defected and declared their allegiance to Bangladesh on April 6, 1971.
Following them A H Mahmood Ali, then Vice Consul at the Pakistan Consulate in New York resigned from the Pakistan Foreign Service and transferred his allegiance to Bangladesh government on 26th April, 1971.
The ministry conferred honour to Amzadul Haq, Anwarul Karim Chowdhury and Hossein Ali after the programme.
Expressing deep gratitude to those patriot diplomats, State Minister for Foreign Affairs said, “As we have started, we will continue to recognize and honor their historic contribution in greater way with even more befitting manner in future.”
Education Minister Dipu Moni, Political Adviser to Prime Minister HT Imam, former finance minister AMA Muhith, politicians Amir Hossain Amu, Faruq Khan, former diplomats, foreign dignitaries attended the programme.