VVIIBBRRAANNTT BBAANNGGLLAADDEESSHH th [[[MMaarrrcchh 22000099]]] 3388tthh AAnnnniiivveerrrssaarrryy oofff OOuurrr IIInnddeeppeennddeennccee [[[VVoolll... 22 IIIssssuuee 33]]] Contents of the issue Political and Foreign Affairs Bangladesh Observes 38th Anniversary of its Independence Information Technology is a top priority for Bangladesh: Prime Minister 45 Women Members of Parliament Sworn in Bangladesh Parliament Passed the Right to Information Bill New Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2009 empowers women Embassy Events Reception hosted at Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on the Independence and National Day 89 th Birth Anniversary of the Father of the Nation and the National Children’s Day 2009 observed at Bangladesh Embassy Outreach program UNC students visits Bangladesh Embassy Bangladesh is a model of moderation: Ambassador Kabir at the Ambassador Kabir briefed the US Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Interview Bangladesh-US Relations have shifted from Aid Dependence to Trade Interaction: Ambassador Kabir with VOA Trade and Economic Bangladesh Brand Forum attempts to defy the global meltdown Leather Goods, Footwear Export Marks 20 percent Growth in 2008 Cultural Children’s Essay and Painting Competition at the Embassy Bangladesh Observes 38th painting competitions. Bangladesh Anniversary of its Independence Embassies abroad also observed the Day in a befitting manner. On this occasion, the Honorable President, Honorable Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, in separate messages, called upon Bangladeshis at home and abroad to unite for making a prosperous, peaceful and modern Bangladesh. The Independence Day Award ceremony was also held on this day. Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was present as the chief guest to honor the recipients of the On March 26, 2009 Bangladesh observed awards. the 38th anniversary of its independence. 38 years ago, this day, the valiant sons of Reception hosted at Bangladesh the soil stood up and proclaimed Embassy in Washington DC on the Bangladesh’s independence. The Independence and National Day declaration of independence was followed In celebration of by the nine month long epic war weaved in the Independence stories of sacrifice and heroism. The final and National Day victory came on December 16, 1971 under of Bangladesh, the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh the Embassy Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh in Bangladesh. Washington, DC hosted a People of Bangladesh – at home and Reception at the Embassy premises in the abroad – observed the day and paid rich evening of 26 March 2009. US Government tribute to the fallen heroes of the Liberation high officials, members of the diplomatic War. In Dhaka, the day’s program began corps, politicians, Congressional staff with a 31-gun salute at Tejgaon old airport. members, representatives from leading At dawn, Honorable President Zillur think- tanks, academia, business leaders, Rahman, Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh media personalities and the members of the Hasina and Honorable Leader of the Bangladeshi American community attended Opposition in Parliament Begum Khaleda the Reception. Zia placed floral wreaths at Jatiyo Smriti Soudha (the National Mausoleum) at Savar. Ambassador M. Humayun Kabir, himself a From early morning thousands of people valiant freedom fighter, and his wife Mrs. from all walks of life streamed at the Smriti Rokeya Kabir welcomed the guests. The Soudha . The Smriti Soudha was built at guests were served with traditional Savar in memory of the freedom fighters Bangladeshi cuisine. A colorful video display who had made supreme sacrifice for the on Bangladesh's independence and independence of Bangladesh. Outside development activities was also screened Dhaka various organizations put up during the event. programs including musical soiree and information technology (IT) programmers every year. Honorable Prime Minister also said that the present government was keen to introduce e-governance to ensure transparency in governance. In this connection, she said that the government was now planning to make all its procurement through 'e- tender.' The honorable Prime Minister Earlier in the morning, Ambassador Kabir informed the audience that her government ceremonially hoisted Bangladesh’s national was working to connect the country with flag at the Embassy premises. Messages another submarine cable soon. “We are from the Honorable President, Honorable very flexible about giving facilities to the Prime Minister, Honorable Foreign Minister private sector," she said urging the and Honorable State Minister for Foreign representatives from the sector to give the Affairs were also read out. A special government suggestions for formulating monajat was offered seeking salvation of polices to have a 'Digital Bangladesh' by the departed souls of the martyrs of 1971, 2021. and also for the peace, progress and continued prosperity of the country. To Bangladesh Brand Forum attempts to mark the occasion the Embassy has also defy the global meltdown published a souvenir. Whilst the world may Information Technology is a top be reeling from the priority for Bangladesh: Prime global financial crisis Minister. and the reputation of many companies The Government received a battering, of Bangladesh Bangladesh corporate world is attempting will introduce to take an optimistic leap forward. The compulsory Bangladesh Brand Forum has taken a bold curriculum on step in telling its corporate leaders and Information marketers to focus on developing their Technology (IT) brands. at Secondary School level by Bangladesh Brand Forum (BBF) 2009 was 2013. The same held on 28 and 29 March 2009 at Dhaka will be replicated Sheraton Hotel under the theme- Surviving at the primary school level by 2021. This Hyper Competition. Seven International was announced by the Honorable Prime speakers provided inspiration to Minister Sheikh Hasina at the inaugural Bangladeshi leaders on how to build strong ceremony of Bangladesh Computer Samity emotional connections with customers. (BCS) Digital Expo-2009 at Bangladesh- China Friendship Conference Centre on 25 Participants of the programme also focused March, 2009 in Dhaka. The Prime Minister on a collective dream, respect to local said that her government would do culture, corporate ethics and values in whatever was necessary to create 10,000 brand-building. An emphasis was also put on financial transparency of corporate won by their respective parties in the houses and their investment in enhancing parliamentary elections held in December the purchasing power of the low-income 2008. group. At the seminar at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, the discussants also recalled that With the reserved 45 women seats the total “Our strength is entrepreneurship even in member of the current Bangladesh Jatiyo the midst of various problems, Sangsad members is 345 including the 300 hopelessness," elected MPs elected in the election held on 29 December 2008. Publisher and Editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam, Munawar Misbah Moin, Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina director of Rahimafrooz Group, recently has said that reserved seats for Grameenphone Communications Director women would be increased up to 100 in the Rubaba Dowla, Kazi & Kazi Tea Estates next parliament and direct election would Chief Executive Officer Kazi Anis Ahmed be held for the seat thus reserved for were among the panelists. Chief Adviser of women. This, if implemented, will elevate Bangladesh Brand Forum Prof Syed Ferhat Bangladesh’s signature issue of women Anwar moderated the discussion. empowerment to a new height. 45 Women Members of Parliament 89 th Birth Anniversary of the Father of Sworn in the Nation and the National Children’s Day 2009 observed at Bangladesh The newly elected Embassy 45 women As per government members of instruction, the 89 th parliament from birth anniversary of the reserved seats Father of the Nation were sworn in on Bangabandhu Sheikh 29 March 2009 at Mujubur Rahman was the National duly observed at Parliament building in Dhaka. Honorable Bangladesh Embassy Speaker of the Parliament Mr. M. Abdul in Washington DC on Hamid administered the oath. 17 March 2009. On the occasion, the Embassy chalked out an elaborate program. On 19 March 2009 the Election Commission A discussion meeting chaired by (EC) of Bangladesh announced the names Ambassador Mr. M. Humayun Kabir was of 45 new members of parliament (MPs) for held at the Auditorium of the Embassy. reserved women's seats. An EC official said Among others, Professor Khalid Hasan, Mr. the women lawmakers, nominated by the Mizanur Rahman Majumder, Mr. Alamgir, three major parties, had been declared Mr. Alauddin, Dr. Shahjahan Mahmud, Mr. 'elected uncontested' as parties nominated Mahmudun Nabi Baki spoke on the just 45 candidates within the deadline set occasion. The speakers highlighted for withdrawal of nominations. Bangabandhu’s contribution in the independence of Bangladesh. They called The ruling Bangladesh Awami League got upon all Bangladeshis to work for the 36 seats, Bangladesh Nationalist Party 5 fulfillment of the dream of the Father of the and Jatiya Party 4 in accordance with Nation’s for a ‘Golden Bengal’- the Bengal quotas determined on the basis of seats of prosperity. They also emphasized on the need to educate Bangladesh’s younger Ambassador to USA, Mrs. Rokeya Kabir generation on the life and works of gave away the prizes among the winners. Bangabandhu . Bangladesh is a model of moderation: In his speech, Ambassador Kabir Ambassador Mr. M. Humayun On 4 March