PM unveils sculpture marking British Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations

News - PM unveils sculpture marking British Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations
 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveiled a sculpture at the British High Commissioner’s residence here on Saturday, marking the celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee and 60 years as Head of the Commonwealth.

British High Commissioner Robert W Gibson was present on the occasion.

The sculpture, titled ‘Mother’, was created by eminent sculptor Hamiduzzaman Khan and the sculpture was sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, one of the longest standing and largest British company in Bangladesh.

PM’s younger sister Sheikh Rehana, Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, PM’s Adviser Prof Dr Gowher Rizvi, Ambassador at-large M Ziauddin, founder chairperson of BRAC Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, former Chief Information Commissioner Ambassador Mohammad Zamir, Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Huq, noted journalist Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, and diplomats from different missions were present.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the sculpture will remain as a reminding symbol of the love and the respect that queen Elizabeth the Second had earned through the sixty years of her benevolent reign as the Monarch of Great Britain, and as the head of the Commonwealth nations.

“It would also signify the nature and strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between Bangladesh and the Great Britain, and our two peoples,” she said.

Hasina mentioned that as Head of the Commonwealth nations Queen Elizabeth has a tremendous influence in building strong relations among its member states.

“The peoples of the Commonwealth have with years developed a soft corner in their hearts for her Majesty.”

She mentioned that in Bangladesh the Queen is highly regarded and more so by those who have grown up admiring her and her wonderful life among those following her graceful years with acute interest and wonder have been herself and her sister Sheikh Rehana.

“Therefore, to accept the invitation to the diamond jubilee celebrations of her majesty Queen Elizabeth the second in June last year in London was for me and irresistible temptation.”

However, she said, Parliament was then in session debating the national budget of the coming financial year for adoption and she was compelled to remain at home. “I had, therefore, asked Sheikh Rehana to represent me at the celebrations in London. However, I was delighted to accept her Majesty’s invitation to be at the opening ceremony of the World Olympics in London.”

She mentioned that she had the honor of conversing with her Majesty at the Palace and at the venue of the games.

“It was again a memorable experience, and more so, as this time she addressed me as a second generation prime Minister and remembered my father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujinbur Rahman, the father of the nation and a former prime Minister.”

She said that unveiling the sculpture in commemoration of the diamond jubilee of the Queen Elizabeth at the residence of the birth High Commissioner in Dhaka is of personal interest as well as privilege and honor.

She mentioned the event as a special one for her, and congratulated sculptor Hamiduzzaman for creating a meaningful piece of art.

The British High Commissioner remarked: “The sculpture is a tribute to her Majesty the Queen’s role as the mother figure of the Commonwealth.  As Bangladesh prepares to mark 42 years of independence, we’re proud that the UK was the first European country to recognise Bangladesh.”

He mentioned that the success of relationship between the two countries was founded on a long-standing and deep bond which stretches across – and beyond – these four decades.

“We are proud of our people-to-people links that lie at the very heart of this relationship: Britain is now home to nearly half a million British nationals of Bangladeshi origin or heritage and we’re proud of the contribution that they make to Britain and its way of life.”

Revealing his inspiration, Hamiduzzman Khan said: “I titled the sculpture ‘Mother’ as the subject of Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee brought into my mind how my mother used to sit in front of me.”

Source: UNB Connect