The Independence and National Day Reception was held in Royale Suite Banqueting Hall, Perry Barr, Birmingham. The Lord Lieutenant of West Midlands Mr. John Crabtree, OBE represented HM the Queen. Moreover, Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Carl Rice, Bangladesh High Commissioner in UK His Excellency Mr. Md. Nazmul Quaunine, The High Sheriff of West Midlands Dr. K. G. Bradshaw, Deputy Lieutenant Mr. Satya Sharma MBE, Deputy Lieutenant Dr. Rashid Gatrad OBE, Former Lord Lieutenant Mr. P. C. Sabapathy CBE, Lord Mayor of Coventry Councillor Lindsley Harvard, Mayor of Stratford Upon Avon Councillor Juliet Dorothy Short, Mayor of Shrewsbury Councillor Ioan Jones, Mayor of Warwick Councillor Christine Cross, Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Julie Webb, Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Barry Findlay, Councillors of Birmingham and different Cities, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Aston University, Dean of Birmingham University and Northampton University, Principal of Solihull Sixth Form College and Josheph Chamberlian College, High Officials of Police Department and Fire Service Department of Birmingham, Consul General of India Dr. Aman Puri, Vice Consul of Spain Mr. Matias Gomes Sanchez, Consul of India Mr. S. M. Chakrabarty, President of Birmingham Consular Association Mr. Keith Stokes Smith, Hon. Consul of Greece, Jamaica, Congo, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Manchester Ms. Ferdousi Shahriar, a large section of local Bangladeshi Community alongwith Businessmen and representatives of electronic/print media attended at the National Day Reception.
Attending the Reception, the Lord Lieutenant Mr. John Crabtree, OBE congratulated on the occasion of the Independence Day of Bangladesh with due respect to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and acknowledged the participation of Bangladeshi national in different sector of Britain. He also urged Bangladeshis to explore the opportunities in Britain to realize their potentials. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Carl Rice also paid tribute to the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh and recalled the support to the expatriate Bangladeshis. Bangladesh High Commissioner in UK His Excellency Mr. Md. Nazmul Quaunine conveyed his thanks to the Lord Lieutenant and other dignitaries and greetings to all on the Happy occasion with due respect to the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh and martyrs of liberation war. The Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Birmingham Mr. Muhammad Zulqar Nain thanked to all, remember the Father of th Nationa and Freedom Fighters of Bangladesh. He also appraised the progress of the Government of Bangladesh.
A cake cutting ceremony was held which was participated by the Lord Lieutenant of West Midlands Mr. John Crabtree, OBE, Bangladesh High Commissioner in UK His Excellency Mr. Md. Nazmul Quaunine, Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Carl Rice, the High Sheriff of West Midlands Dr. K. G. Bradshaw, Lord Mayor of Coventry Councillor Lindsley Harvard, Mayor of Stratford Upon Avon Councillor Juliet Dorothy Short, Mayor of Shrewsbury Councillor Ioan Jones, Mayor of Warwick Councillor Christine Cross, Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Julie Webb, Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Barry Findlay, Consul General of India Dr. Aman Puri, President of Birmingham Consular Association Mr. Keith Stokes Smith and Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Manchester Ms. Ferdousi Shahriar.
The documentary was projected showing touristic attraction of beautiful Bangladesh, it’s economic, social achievement and future prospects of the country. Also patriotic difference dances projected which were very enjoyable to all. The presenter of the programme was Mr. S. M. Ghulam Sarwar, Consular Officer of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Birmingham. Huge turnout made the Reception a lively event. At the end, former Lord Lieutenant Mr. Paul C. Sabapathy CBE conveyed thanks from the invitees to the Assistant High Commissioner Mr. Muhammad Zulqar Nain and Mrs. Afsana Bulbul for organizing the excellent programme.
