Foreign Service Academy, Bangladesh observed the National Victory Day with fanfare and festivity at the Academy premises on 16 December 2020. The programme started at 0900 hours by hoisting the national Flag which was followed by wreath-laying at the portrait of the Father of the Nation. The event was followed by Dua for the salvation of the departed souls of the freedom fighters who made the supreme sacrifices in the war of Liberation of Bangladesh, and for the continued peace and prosperity of the country under the able leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

To mark the day, a seminar and open-discussion about the Victory day was observed. Rector of the Academy chaired the seminar, where Additional Foreign Secretaries & senior officials of the Ministry were also present. Additional Foreign Secretary (SAARC & BIMSTEC), as the keynote speaker, in his speech stressed on the sacrifices of the martyrs of the Liberation War and asked all to strive to carry the country forward under the accomplished leadership of HPM, Sheikh Hasina. Focusing on the ideals of Bangabandhu who always emphasized on the Public Diplomacy and people to people contact, he motivated all to adopt the core principles of diplomacy and foreign policy for the benefits of general mass.

The senior officials of the Ministry, in their discussion, also put forward the significance of Liberation War on our day-to-day lives and inspiration & legacy the war has kept for the future generation. Additional Secretary (West) put light on the necessity of being ever vigilant to safeguard our nation from the plotters who, now and then, hurt our feelings doing such activities that are against the essence of our liberation war and teachings of Bangabandhu. The speakers elaborated on the economic diplomacy adopted by the Government to accelerate the pace of our economic advancement that will ultimately lead us graduating from the LDC club at the stipulated time.

Lastly, Rector of the Academy delineated the pen-picture of how the diplomats can use their knowledge, experience and diplomatic acumen to promote Public Diplomacy inculcating the value of patriotism into the minds of all government officials, and side by side teaching the next generation the true history and culture of Bangladesh at home. He then declared the result of the ‘Essay Writing Competition’ which was arranged as a part of celebration of ‘Mujib Birth Centenary’ and declared the closing of the programme.