The Bangladesh High Commission in Port Louis, Mauritius, hosted a grand reception on Thursday to mark the 55th Independence and National Day of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, showcasing pride, festivity, and cultural heritage.
Dr. Zokey Ahad, Ph.D., High Commissioner of Bangladesh, welcomed the guests, while the event was graced by Dharambeer Gokhool, G.C.S.K., President of Mauritius, as the Chief Guest. Other distinguished attendees included Jean Yvan Robert Hungley, G.O.S.K., Vice-President, and Dhananjay Ramful, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade.
The reception venue at the Islamic Cultural Centre in Port Louis was adorned with colourful lights, banners, and festoons.
The ceremony saw the presence of high-profile Mauritian dignitaries, including Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra, Speaker of the National Assembly; Bibi Rehana Mungly-Gulbul, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; Muhammad Reza Cassam Uteem, Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations; M. I. Abdool Rahman, Electoral Commissioner; three former Presidents; and a former Vice-President.
The formal program began with a toast to the President and people of Bangladesh, reciprocated by a toast to the President and people of Mauritius proposed by the High Commissioner. National anthems of both nations were performed by the Mauritius Police Band, followed by a statement from the High Commissioner and a performance of a Bangla folk song.
The ceremonial segment concluded with the joint cutting of a cake by the High Commissioner, the Mauritian President, and the Foreign Minister.
A documentary titled Notun Surjoo and a special exhibition highlighting key moments of the July-August 2024 mass movement were also showcased.
In his remarks, High Commissioner Dr. Ahad paid tribute to the martyrs and freedom fighters of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War and the victims and heroes of the July-August 2024 revolution, observing a minute of silence.
He highlighted Bangladesh’s rapid economic growth, investment opportunities, over 100 economic zones, and a dedicated foreign investment zone in Cox’s Bazar’s Sabrang Tourism Park.
Dr. Ahad thanked the Mauritian government for supporting the Bangladeshi expatriate community, noting their significant contribution to the local economy.
He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s support for the rights of the Chagos Archipelago population and expressed gratitude for Mauritius’s consistent backing on the Rohingya issue.
The High Commissioner emphasized the historical, political, and cultural ties between the two nations and highlighted religious diversity and harmony in both countries.
Dr. Ahad also urged diplomats present to support Bangladesh’s candidature for the Presidency of the 81st UN General Assembly.
Around 350 guests attended the reception, including cabinet members, National Assembly representatives, diplomats, business leaders, media personnel, and members of the Bangladeshi community in Mauritius.
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Guests enjoyed Bangladeshi folk music, cuisine, and were presented with Bangladeshi food products and tourism publications in jute gift bags.
The event received extensive coverage in Mauritian print and electronic media.
Earlier in the morning, the High Commissioner formally hoisted the Bangladesh national flag at Bangladesh House, followed by the singing of the national anthem by all officials and staff.
