President Abdul Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanom on Thursday hosted a reception at Bangabhaban marking the country’s 45th Independence and National Day. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the reception held at the lawn of the President’s House. Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Raushon Ershad joined the reception. Valiant freedom fighters and family members of Birshreshtha gallantry awards attended the function. The Chief Justice, Cabinet Members, Deputy Speaker, Advisers to the Prime Minister, State Ministers, Supreme Court Judges, Election Commissioners, Cabinet Secretary, the chiefs of the three services, Members of Parliament, senior political leaders, editors, senior civil and military officers, academics, diplomats, senior lawyers, business community leaders, artistes and distinguished citizens also joined the reception. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cut a cake on the occasion. The President and the Prime Minister together exchanged greetings with war-wounded freedom fighters and other guests at the function. Abdul Hamid and Sheikh Hasina also enquired about the wellbeing of the war-wounded freedom fighters and assured them of extending all-out support for their all possible welfare. During the reception, country’s renowned artistes Fakir Alamgir, Fatema-Tuz-Zohra, Kiron Chandra Roy, Momtaz Begum and Abu Bakar Siddique presented patriotic songs. No BNP leader was seen at the programme though its 21 top leaders were invited. -UNB, Dhaka
