BSS :
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have conveyed their heartfelt respect to the Bangladeshi career diplomat and former Speaker of the Parliament Humayun Rasheed Choudhury on his 93rd birth anniversary to be observed today.
On the eve of the day, both the President and the Prime Minister on Wednesday issued separate messages rendering their deep respect towards him.
President Abdul Hamid in his message said: “On the 93rd birthday anniversary of late Former Jatiya Sangsad Speaker and noted diplomat Humayun Rasheed Choudhury, I pay my deep respect to the memory of him.”
The head of the state said Humayun had immense respect for Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
While he was the ambassador to Germany, Bangabandhu and most of his family members were martyred on 15 August, 1975, he said, adding that upon hearing the news of the brutal murder of Father of the Nation and his family, he risked his life to keep the two daughters of Bangabandhu-Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana – safe at his residence in West Germany.
He was the first Bengali to preside over the 41st session of the United Nation (UN) General Assembly, the president said, adding that he later successfully served as the speaker of the great national assembly from 1996-2001.
During this time, he undertook a number of groundbreaking initiatives, including repealing the infamous indemnity ordinance, strengthening the national assembly and introducing the question-and-answer sessions of the Prime Minister in Parliament to bring the murderers of Father of the Nation to justice, Hamid added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message said:” Humayun Rasheed Choudhury is a shining star in the history of our great independence.”
At the risk of his life, he responded to the call of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and made mental preparations for a diplomatic war on behalf of the Bengalis in March of 1971, the premier said.
