Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended a reception hosted by American President Joe Biden on Tuesday. Biden hosted the banquet at The Metropolitan Museum of Art  in the evening in honor of the heads of state and government who arrived in New York to take part in the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Session. Foreign Minister Dr  AK Abdul Momen informed newsmen about the reception at a press briefing on the Prime Minister's engagements here. PM's daughter and Thematic Abmassador of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Saima Wazed accompanied the premier. During the banquet, the Prime Minister exchanged pleasantries with the heads of the government and state from various countries.

BNP standing committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said, martyred president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman moved forward with the unfinished tasks of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during his stay in prison. Ziaur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh in absence of Bangabandhu after accepting his leadership during the liberation war. For this reason Awami League should award posthumous reception to Ziaur Rahman on the eve of golden jubilee of independence. He said this at a human chain organized in front of Jatiya Press Club on Friday. National Democratic Party (NDP), a component of 20-part alliance observed the program protesting the decision of cancelling Ziaur Rahman’s ‘Beer Uttam’ title. Gayeshwar Roy said, martyred president Ziaur Rahman was a state recognized title owner freedom fighter. He was the only Beer Uttam title owner who with extreme brevity fought the liberation war staying in the land of Bangladesh. So the title should not be snatched away rather he should be given posthumous reception by the government. Criticizing Jatiya Muktijoddha Council (JaMuKa) he said, a number of fake freedom fighters were made during the tenure of Awami League government. Many of them are withdrawing allowances and doing services. After seeing these it seems that their contributions are more than the frontline freedom fighters. Participants in the human chain protested the decision of cancelling Ziaur Rahman’s title and demanded its withdrawal. NDP chairman AM Abu Taher and Labor Party chairman Mostafizur Rahman delivered speeches among others in the human chain. AH           

President M Abdul Hamid and his spouse Rashida Khanom hosted a reception at Bangabhaban in the capital on Monday marking the country’s 49th Victory Day. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the reception held on the lush green lawn of the President’s palace in the afternoon. Several thousands of guests attended the function from 2 pm to 4:30 pm. Victory Day is a national holiday and it is celebrated on December 16 to commemorate the victory of the allied forces over the Pakistani occupation army in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. The Pakistani occupation forces surrendered to the joint forces of Bangladesh and India ending the ninth-month Liberation War and turning East Pakistan into Bangladesh. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina exchanged greetings with the injured freedom fighters and other guests after the national anthem was sung. They also enquired about their wellbeing. The President and the Prime Minister cut a Victory Day cake on the occasion. Balloons were also released. Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, cabinet members, advisers to the prime minister, Supreme Court judges, national leaders, parliament members as well as ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries were present on the occasion. Senior lawyers, chiefs of the three services, senior political leaders, editors, journalist leaders, family members of Birshreshthas, artistes, cultural personalities, senior civil and military officers, academics, business community leaders, and distinguished citizens also joined the function. During the reception, country’s renowned artistes, including Shahin Samad, Timir Nandi, Fahmida Nabi and Abubakar Siddique rendered songs while several children and a band group performed. Source: BSS AH

President M Abdul Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanom on Sunday hosted a reception at Bangabhaban marking the country’s 48th Victory Day. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the reception on the lush green lawn of the President’s palace in the capital. Several thousand of guests gathered on the green lawn of the Bangabhaban from 3 pm to 4.30 pm on the occasion. Reports BSS. Victory Day is a national holiday celebrated on December 16 to commemorate the victory of the allied forces over the Pakistani forces in the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. The Pakistani occupation forces surrendered to the joint forces of Bangladesh and India ending the ninth-month Liberation War and turning East Pakistan into Bangladesh. President Hamid along with his wife and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina exchanged greetings with the guests after the national anthem was sung. Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, former President and Chairman of Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, members of the cabinet, advisers to the prime minister, Supreme Court judges, parliament members and ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries were present on the occasion. Ganoswastha Kendra founder Dr Zaforullah Chowdhury, Senior lawyers, chiefs of the three services, senior political leaders, editors, journalist leaders, family members of Birshreshthas, artistes, cultural personalities, senior civil and military officers, academics, business community leaders, and distinguished citizens also joined the function. Besides, members of the National Cadet Corps of four countries -India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives – also attended the reception. The President and the Prime Minister cut a Victory Day cake on the occasion. President Hamid and PM Sheikh Hasina exchanged greetings with the injured freedom fighters and other guests. They also enquired about the wellbeing of the injured freedom fighters and assured all-out support for their welfare. During the reception, country’s renowned artistes, including Rafiqul Alam, Fahmida Nabi, Bappa Majumder, Mehrin and Munia Baula rendered songs while children and an army band performed at the reception. AH

Bangladesh Awami League is offering a mass reception to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her contribution in different achievements of the government. In the mean time she has reached on the reception stage erected at the Suhrawardy Udyan. She reached on the stage at 3:30 pm on Saturday. At that time leaders, activists and supporters of the party welcomed her through repeated slogans. To join the program leaders, activists and supporters of the party began to gather on the spot from the noon avoiding the rain. Awami League presidium member and Deputy Leader of the house Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury is presiding over the program. After taking seat by the Prime Minister the program started with cultural programs. Singer and Member of Parliament Momtaz performed songs at first. This mass reception is being accorded to Sheikh Hasina for her role in different arena such as graduating the country from least developed country to developing country, successful launching of Bangabandhu Satellite-1 in the space, for attaining D litt degree from Kazi Nazrul Islam University of Asansol, receiving Global Women’s Leadership Award from Sydney, Australia, for receiving different international award including Champion of the Earth and for her success in different development and achievement of the country. In this regard Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader told newsmen, we have performed development while in power led by Sheikh Hasina, we have executed attainment, which are being praised internationally. So we are offering the mass reception on behalf of grateful nation to daughter of father of the nation who led the struggle of our independence. And your cameras will say about the participation of people. AH         

Awami League will accord a mass reception to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina tomorrow (Saturday) at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital for the incumbent government’s outstanding contributions to the country’s development and achievements in different fields. The reception will be arranged for attaining the eligibility to graduate to a developing nation, launching Bangabandhu Satellite-I, Sheikh Hasina’s achievement of Global Women’s Leadership Award from US-based NGO Global Summit of Women and her receiving D. Litt from Kazi Nazrul University of India. Reports BSS. Awami League has taken a massive preparation to make the reception a success as the party expects a gathering of over 3 lakh people in the function. Apart from party leaders and workers of Dhaka and adjoining districts, a cross section of people including pro-liberation political party leaders and workers will join the function. The venue, Suhrawardy Udyan, has been decorated aesthetically. A huge L-shaped pandal has been set at the venue while as many as, 30,000 chairs will be set before the stage. A photo-exhibition comprising 16 photographs of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be arranged under the supervision of noted artist Hashem Khan. Books written by Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her long political life will also be exhibited. Besides, Oshomapto Attojiboni (The Unfinished Memoirs) and Karagarer Rojnamcha (Prison Diary) of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will also be in the exhibition. To mark the reception, city streets from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s official residence to the Suhrawardy Udyan also have been decorated with banners and festoons inscribed with pictures of development and achievements of the incumbent government. The entire Suhrawardy Udyan has been illuminated. A big gate has been erected at the entry point to the venue in front of Matsya Bhaban while 40 other colorful gates have been erected from Matsya Bhaban to Shishu Park. Awami League Presidium Member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury will chair the function. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s son and her ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy will be at the stage. AL Cultural Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil said that a cultural function will be arranged with the participation of noted singers at 12 noon before the formal beginning of the function at 3pm. At the outset, a 30-minute presentation will be held on history and heritage of Bangalee nation, he added. Ukil said cabinet members from Awami League will present development and achievements of respective ministries in the function. AH

President Mohammad Abdul Hamid on Sunday urged all irrespective of party affiliation, opinion and religious belief to play a proper role in the national development upholding communal harmony and tradition.  ‘Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony . . . All people perform their respective religions and rituals freely here,’ he said while exchanging greetings with the Buddhist community at Bangabhaban this afternoon on the occasion of Buddha Purnima, the biggest religious festival of the Buddhists. Reports BSS. The President hoped that the Buddhist community would continue to put their efforts for country`s overall development upholding the traditional norms and containing the immortal ideology of Lord Buddha.  The message of Gautama Buddha - `Non-Violence is the Ultimate Religion` - is still applicable to the society, he said.  ‘I do believe, the ideology of Buddha can play a very significant role to establish humanity and peace in this restive and intolerant world,’ Abdul Hamid observed.  Noting that religion is a belief of the people, he said the main message of all religions is the welfare of mankind.  Religious Affairs Minister Principal Matiur Rahman, Buddhist religious leaders including Suddhananda Mahathero, Satyapriyo Mohathero, former minister Dilip Barua, Bangladesh chapter president of World Buddhists Federation Prof Dr Sukomol Barua, vice-president of Bangladesh Buddhist Kristi Prochar Sangha PR Barua, ambassadors and high commissioners of different Buddhist countries, representatives of various international organizations and professionals of Buddhist community attended the reception.  Secretaries concerned to the President`s Office were present on the occasion.  President Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanam welcomed the guests and exchanged greetings with them.  Earlier, the Buddhist religious leaders greeted President Hamid by presenting a bouquet to him. AH