Bangladesh Mission in New Delhi opened
From Our Special Correspondent, NEW DELHI, AUG. 30-At last it happened the event for which they and many others had been waiting for weeks. The Bangladesh Mission was formally opened here this morning.
The ceremony of flag-hoisting was solemn simple and touching. As the green-redgold flag broke at the mast with a chorus singing of the Bangladesh National Anthem. “Amar Sonar Bangla. Ami Tomai balobhashi.” a breeze started palying with it.
It was a heyday for photographers foreign and Indian- still movie. TV.
The occasion marks the formal opening of the Bangladesh Mission office, temporarilly at the residence of Mr. K. M. Shahabuddin, the Bangladesh Government representative here.
Before hoisting the flag, Mr. Shahabuddin read out a statement in which he expressed the determination of the people of Bangladesh to drive out the Pakistan enemy from their land. “We have already shed much blood and are ready to give more.”
He thanked India for her sympathy and her support to “our new State” and asked all nations to stop assistance military and economic to Pakistan the aggressor.
On behalf of his Government Mr. Shahabuddin laid claim to the Pak High Commission permisses in Chanakyapuri and the High Commissioner’s residence in Tilak Marg.
The ceremony started with recitations from the Quran, the Gita, the Bible and the Tripitaka. The theme as the shloka from the Gita said was “eliminate the guilty and the unjust and protect the just.”
The well-known musician of the classical school, Mrs. Dipali Nag Choudhuri was there with a chorus drawn from her local music institution “Saptasur”. They sang the baul-tune-based national anthem, written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore. Those present were treated to sweets and soft drinks.
Mr. Shahabuddin said in his statement
“It gives us Mr. Amjadul Huq. other colleagues and my wife and myself-the greatest pleasure to host the national flag of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in the capital city of New Delhi and formally declare the Bangladesh Mission open here. We consider this occasion a historic one, because from this moment. Bangladesh flag will fly in Delhi in full glory and splendour procliaming to the world the defeat of the aggressor and the ultimate victory of the aggressed. We fervently hope that Government of India which has extended full sympathy and support to our new state will soon recognise Bangladesh and its legally constituted Government.
“Though at this hour we are hoisting our national flag on a separate building with a view to avoiding embarrassment to our host Government I wish to assert very clearly that I on behalf of my Government pay full claim to the High Commission premises along with the buildings inside them at 250-G Shantinath Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 21 hitherto belonging to defunct Pakistan and to the so-called Pakistan House at 8-E, Tilak Marg, New Delhi-1 as the rightful property of Bangladesh. These palatial buildings like similar mission in other capitals were built by foreign exchange earned by the jute and tea of Bangladesh and so none has greater right to them than the people of Bangladesh.“
“Bangladesh is engaged in grim fight with a ruthless and treacherous enemy. The aggressor is continuing unahated its aggression and its planned genocide, rape and looting on the unarmed people in Bangladesh. As all are aware the aggressor’s activities are not being allowed to go on unchallenged. The brave sons of Bangladesh are giving befitting reply to the enemy everywhere. We have already to give more. No sacrifice is too great for us: we shall preserve our hard-earned independence at any cost.”
“I take this opportunity to make a special appeal to international community. They should not condone the planned genocide in Bangladesh: they cannot help the barbaous regime of Yahya Khan to perpetrate further genocide by giving aideconomic and military to Pakistan. They should withdraw all aid to the aggressive. So that the aggressor could be taught a lesson which he will never forget.”
While hoisting the flag I would like to tell the international community and various nations the world again that independent and sovereign Bangladesh is a reality and it is in the common interest of all states and Bangladesh that they should develop friendship and cooperation.
Reference: Hindustan Standard, 31.08.1971