US celebrates Independence Day with 'great rivers' theme

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali has laid emphasis on continuing joint efforts to pursue the rights to a secure, better and dignified life for the entire humanity, reports the UNB.

 

"Let's continue to pursue the rights to a secure, better and dignified life for our two peoples as well as for the entire humanity," he said while addressing the American Independence Day celebrations in the city on Wednesday evening.

 

US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat who also spoke on the occasion had chosen "great rivers" as the theme of the year stressing that rivers and the rains are the lifeblood of Bangladesh. 

 

The Foreign Minister thanked the US Ambassador for choosing the theme and said Bengali literature, including poetry, novel, drama, music, dance- everything, is based on river, rain and water.

 

Speaking as the chief guest at the function, Mahmood Ali said Bangladesh is determinedly poised to become the 'Sonar Bangla' or the Golden Bengal of Bangabandhu's dream and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has added the dimension of technology to her father's dream. 

 

He said Bangladesh is coming up as a country where the people of all religions have equal rights. " Sheikh Hasina's slogan,-- To each his or her religion but festival belongs to all-- has really caught on."

 

During the last four and a half decades, the Foreign Minister said, bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and the USA has grown in depth and dimension. 

 

"During the tenure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President Barak Obama, our bilateral relationship has been institutionalized through formally established platforms of dialogues," he added.

 

The multifaceted relationship now encompass a wide range of issues-- ranging from shared values of freedom, democracy, justice, human dignity, empowerment of women to joint endeavors for development, promotion of international peace and security and many more, said the Foreign Minister.

 

"Our partnership embraces still new areas such as eradicating terrorism and violent extremism," he said.

 

Mahmood Ali deeply appreciated the significant contribution and consistent support of the US Government through USAID in Bangladesh's development efforts since independence. 

 

"We've signed an agreement to boost up our trade ties. We're so happy that the annual bilateral trade between Bangladesh and the USA has now surpassed the mark of USD 6 billion. New items such as pharmaceuticals are expected to enter the US market soon," Mahmood Ali mentioned.

 

Opposition Leader in Parliament Raushan Ershad, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Advisers to the Prime Minister, senior politicians, diplomats, business leaders, editors, journalists, women leaders and civil society representatives attended the event.