Renowned British journalist Simon Dring was looking forward to participating in "one final project" centring Bangladesh's Golden Jubilee of independence, before he passed away unexpectedly in Romania last Friday.  This was shared by his partner for the last 26 years of his life, Fiona McPherson, in a Facebook post paying tribute to her beloved. The nature or details of the project were not specified. Dring was 77 at the time of his death.   Also in the post, Fiona shares how she was informed by the hospital that "Simon died in his ETV polo shirt, which our girls now hold as a precious keepsake of their father." Read: Simon Dring died in his ETV poloshirt, shares partner in emotional Fb post The couple have twin daughters, India and Ava, from their union on earth.  Dring's outsized attachment to Bangladesh comes across for all to see in the post, strewn with names and organisations and explicitly stating the depth of the bond he shared with the country.  Below we reproduce the text of the status in full:  IN MEMORIAM. SIMON JOHN DRING.   11.01.1945 - 16. 07.2021 It is with crushing sorrow that I confirm the sudden and unexpected passing of my beloved partner of 26 years, and the father of our blessed twins, Simon Dring. Simon died in recovery after an emergency but routine operation in a hospital in Romania on Friday 16th July 2021 at 2.30 am; where we have been living since early 2020. We were excited to shortly move to France for permanent retirement, intensive family time, and for Simon to write his autobiography. Simon's success and achievements in his life as a renowned international journalist are very well known. His ingenuity and drive to capture the true story no matter what the cost; to go where it was required, and to do what was needed for that end, is the stuff of legend. Indeed, our twins have spent many a bed and bath time sharing his extraordinary adventures! It gave our girls, and myself, boundless inspiration and far-reaching courage to live the road less travelled with him. To find answers and meaning in wide horizons. Simon had started to write a series of short pieces regarding his years as a foreign correspondent and had planned to publish them in South Asia in the near future. Simon had hoped to participate in one final project later this year, for his beloved Bangladesh, as that country celebrates its important milestone of 50 years of independence. A period in history to which Simon is forever linked, both in fact, and in soul. For Simon to miss this milestone, would simply have broken his heart. I wish to mention here that I have been informed by the hospital that Simon died in his ETV polo shirt, which our girls now hold as a precious keepsake of their father. There is too much to remember and too much to say for my saddened mind today. Read:Probe: Journalists, activists among firm’s spyware targets A life lived as Simon's, has never fulfilled any expectation of normal: routine, responsibilities, consistent, safe, mainstream. It was simply impossible for him to do so. His life was iconically unique. For those close friends and family with whom I have not yet managed to let you know this sad news, please accept my apologies. Events have surpassed me. To his friends and colleagues around the world; many of whom were part of his unique history, I say that you were and are still so much part of the shaping of his long story. You were often part of our thoughts and conversations over so many years. Tim Page. Farhad Mahmud. Bernard. Abu Alam. Emma, Jarhna, Deben. And so many more. For friends and family and colleagues who continue to send their wishes, please know it gives me sincere comfort. Myself and our 2 little girls are deeply grateful. We will try to respond to as many as possible in the time ahead. To his family in England, France and Spain who spent so many years loving and caring for him; missing him; waiting for him to return home from yet another warzone- and wondering if he really would, I know he was truly grateful, and I know of his regrets. To his beloved daughter Tanya from his first marriage; to his first wife Helen who first supported his rise to great heights; to his sister Sue who has endlessly been there when Simon appeared off a plane from some far-flung country seeking a meal and the warmth of family, I say a profound thank you.  Simon loved you all with his whole heart. Tom, Dan, Michelle, Sophie, Chris, Jeremy and to all the nieces, nephews, cousins and next-generation versions of those too; he was deeply connected to and so proud of you all; even if his manner and frequency of expression of it was so very Simon Dring-esque. To his only grandsons Nicholas and James, I have watched him glow with pride at how you have grown into confident, handsome young men of the future. A life is full of many parts and many chapters. Simon's life reflected that much more than most. All of it: his family, his friends, his parents, Fakenham, England, Vietnam, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Romania, Haiti, the Silk Road, Eritrea, On The Road Again, BBC, Reuters, The Daily Telegraph,  SportAid,  India, Laos, Iran, ETV, Jumna TV, all the TVS, Romanian orphanage and street children who have loved him as their father, and his breathtaking 10 year old twin girls: all moved forward with him and comprised a unique life, well lived, with its music very much revealed. His contributions, his legacies will continue forward too- in their own unique right and because we will not let them fade. Your 3 Roses are broken, Dringo. As India and Ava hugged your cool body today; whispered their promises in your ear and kissed your exquisitely calm face- I wondered how it would be possible to move forward. My own promise to you on the morning you died, as I held you in shocking disbelief, is that I will raise our beautiful girls India and Ava to be strong, capable, competent, brave, articulate young women; creative, kind, world travelled- with boundless inspiration and very wide horizons. I know how much you adored them. Read:CJA shocked at killing of photojournalist Danish Siddiqui You were my best friend. My kindred traveller soul. I am so grateful for your love and for the time we were given together. Oh Dringo, we always thought you would live forever. We will never forget you. Rest now in eternal peace. It is time.

Islami Bank Bangladesh Friday organised an online discussion and prayers to mark the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's Independence. Professor Md Nazmul Hassan, chairman of the bank, addressed the programme as the chief guest. Presided over by Mohammed Monirul Moula, managing director and chief executive officer of the bank, the function was addressed by Dr Md Salim Uddin, chairman of the bank's executive committee, Mohammad Solaiman, chairman of audit committee, and Major General (retd) Abdul Matin, chairman of risk management committee of the bank. Md Joynal Abedin and Dr Qazi Shahidul Alam, directors of the bank, also addressed the programme. Islami Bank directors Professor Md Kamal Uddin, Syed Abu Asad, Md Quamrul Hasan, Dr Mohammad Saleh Jahur, Dr Md Fashiul Alam, Khurshid-Ul-Alam, Mohammad Nasir Uddin, and Md Zakir Hossain were present on the occasion.

Bangladesh embarks on a 10-day biggest ever extravaganza on Wednesday to celebrate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the country’s hard-earned Independence.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller has officially launched ShareAmerica’s Bangla language website to celebrate the International Mother Language Day 2021 and in honour of Bangladesh’s upcoming 50th anniversary of independence.

The United Kingdom has said they look forward to strengthening bonds of kinship and culture during the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the vested quarters who tried to foil Bangladesh's independence have failed.   "Those who tried to foil independence have failed," she said.

Bangladesh has invited Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said to join the birth centenary celebrations of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 50 years of Bangladesh's Independence to be celebrated in March this year. 

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence is expected to witness a large number of bilateral activities between Bangladesh and India taking historic relations to a new height.

Bangladesh is observing its Independence Day today (Thursday).   But this year, the government cancelled all programmes of the day as the country is fighting to contain the transmission of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).   On March 26, 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh's independence following the crackdown on unarmed Bangalees on the midnight of March 25 by Pakistani occupation forces.   After a nine-month War of Liberation with the supreme sacrifices of three million people and the honour of 200,000 women, Bangladesh finally achieved its independence on December 16, 1971.   President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages extending heartfelt greetings and warm felicitations to the countrymen at home and abroad.   President Abdul Hamid in his message said: “Being imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War let it be the pledge in 'Mujib Year' to turn our country into 'Sonar Bangla' by completing the unfinished tasks of Bangabandhu. The golden jubilee of our independence will be observed in 2021 with great enthusiasm. Bangladesh will enter into a new chapter - a new horizon. With the concerted efforts of all, let our beloved motherland be a poverty-free developed one; it is my expectation on Independence Day.”   Prime minister Sheikh Hasina in her message said: “By implementing our ‘Vision-2021’, ‘Vision-2041’ and ‘Delta Plan-2100’, we have been working relentlessly to build a hunger-poverty-free developed-prosperous Bangladesh as envisioned by the Father of the Nation. Let us unite in the spirit of the great War of Liberation and maintain the continuation of development and democracy by facing any sort of conspiracy. Let us transform Bangladesh into a safe and peaceful home for our next generation. This should be our firm commitment on the Independence Day.   The day is a public holiday.   National dailies brought out special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private radio stations and television channels are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the day.   Different political parties as well as socio-cultural and professional organisations have also suspended all programmes to avoid public gathering and maintain social distancing following the directives of the government as well as the World Health Organization (WHO).