USA Bureau

President of Bangabandhu Parishad and former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof. Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique has called upon everyone to better inform the expatriate Bangladeshis and the new generation about the life, struggle and political philosophy of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

He also requested them to highlight the extraordinary socio-economic progress that Bangladesh has achieved in the last 15 years under the dynamic and visionary leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at home and abroad.

He said this in his speech as the chief guest at the inauguration of the 7th International Bangabandhu Conference in Los Angeles City, California, USA on Saturday (April 27) .

Professor AMS Arefin Siddique said, the greatest Bengali of all time, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has accepted the struggle and sacrifices of the nation to achieve its long-desired independence and this independence was achieved in 1971 through the great liberation war under his undisputed leadership. He said, this struggle of the father of the nation and It is the duty of all of us to better inform the self-sacrifice diaspora and the new generation

Professor Arefin Siddique said that under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has achieved unprecedented progress in the last decade and a half and has become a role model for development in the world. He said that we all have to work with utmost sincerity to highlight this remarkable achievement and build a 'Smart Bangladesh' announced by the Hon'ble Prime Minister by 2041.

The day-long event started in the morning with the performance of the national anthems of Bangladesh and the United States. Later, a series of discussions were held on the life, struggle and political philosophy of the Father of the Nation.

Apart from Professor Arefin Siddique, the honourable guests of the conference included Bangladesh Awami League Office Secretary and Prime Minister's Special Assistant Barrister Biplab Barua, Bhorer Kagaj Editor and Jatiya Press Club General Secretary Shyamal Dutta, Bangladesh Consul General in Los Angeles Samia Anjum, Paris City Mayor of California Michael Vargas, USA. President of Awami League Dr Siddiqur Rahman and Senior Vice-president Muhammad Fazlur Rahman and Convener of the conference preparation committee Nazrul Alam.

President of the United States Bangabandhu Parishad and Ekushey writer. Nurun Nabi presided over the conference and General Secretary Rana Hasan Mahmud conducted it

Several documentaries on Bangabandhu, the Liberation War and Bangladesh, children's drawing competition, poetry recitation, music and dance were performed in the conference.

In a special seminar titled "Bangabandhu's Foreign Policy and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Practical Implementation" was presided over by Dr. Nurun Nabi and General Secretary of Jatiya Press Club and Bhorer Kagaj Editor Shyamal Dutta presented the main article.

The evening was addressed by Chief Guest Professor Arefin Siddique, Adviser Mostain Dara Billa, and Guest of Honour Barrister Biplab Barua.

A speech competition was organized on Bangabandhu's March 7 speech for children and teenagers. The day-long conference ended with a solo performance by the popular band Souls of Bangladesh

In addition to the central leaders of United States Bangabandhu Parishad and United States Awami League, top leaders of various states participated in this conference. Freedom fighters and family members of martyrs were honoured in the conference. Dr. William Finkel, a photojournalist of the famous Time magazine and the Boston Globe, was awarded a special honour during the War of Loberation.

United States Bangabandhu Parishad President Dr. Nurun Nabi announced that the next three conferences will be held in Washington DC, Michigan and Georgia respectively.