Bangladesh High Commission in Australia on Wednesday celebrated the Victory Day of Bangladesh in a befitting manner.

Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation on 16 December 1971 after a nine-month war against Pakistani occupation forces.

As part of the Victory Day programme, Bangladesh national flag was ceremonially hoisted by Charge the Affairs (CDA) Ms Wahida Ahmed in presence of all the officials of the Mission at Canberra at 9:00am Australia time, says a press release of the Commission.

Recitation from the Holy Quran and a special prayer was held for the peace and salvation of the departed souls of the valiant freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the country.

Messages of the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out.

Later, in a discussion held at the conference room of the High Commission, members of the Expatriate Bangladesh community living in Canberra paid tribute and homage to the heroic freedom fighters and millions of martyrs.

In her welcome remarks, Ms Wahida Ahmed, CDA of the Bangladesh High Commission in Australia, paid tribute to the freedom fighters and millions of martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for making Bangladesh independent under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

She also mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is pledge-bound to safeguard the interests of the democracy-loving people of Bangladesh as dreamt by Bangabandhu and also to lead the country to a middle income country by 2021 and to a developed country by 2041. The program was concluded by giving thanks to all participants.