Ambassador Kelly Keiderling, the US deputy assistant secretary of State for South Asia and Public Diplomacy, has said the Americans want to be a part of the success story of Bangladesh which is becoming an economic powerhouse.

Ambassador Kelly Keiderling highly appreciated the tremendous socioeconomic development Bangladesh has achieved in the span of a generation.  

Millions of Bangladeshis came out of poverty and the country now has entered into the middle-income category, she added.

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington celebrated the Bangla Noboborsho (Bangla New Year) -1429 and Eid reunion on Friday with much enthusiasm and fanfare, said the Embassy in a message on Sunday. 

Kelly Keiderling joined the event as the guest of honour.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the US M Shahidul Islam delivered the welcome remarks.

Diplomats from South Asian countries, officials of the US government, State Department, and a large number of guests from the Bangladesh Diaspora also attended the joyful event.

Bangladesh Ambassador M Shahidul Islam narrated the illustrious history of the Bangla New Year celebration and said Pohela Boishakh is an integral part of Bangla culture and tradition, and the most universal festival of the nation.

On the other hand, he said, Eid-ul-Fitr is the largest religious festival for the Muslim population, reminding them of the virtues of self-purification, compassion, and charity.

He noted that these two festivals are to celebrate the foundational values of the War of Independence, where people from all religious, race, and ethnic backgrounds would live in peace and harmony, as envisioned by our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Ambassador Islam said Bangabandhu's daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has remained steadfast to uphold the secular and progressive ethos of the Bengali society, and her party Awami League has been a constant bulwark against the religious extremism in the society.

The key attraction of the program was a spectacular cultural show which highlighted some distinct aspects of the celebration of Bangla New Year and Eid-ul-Fitr.

Four US State Department officers recited poems and rhymes in Bangla during the cultural function which ended with performing songs by noted Bangladeshi singer Anila Chowdhury.

As part of the celebration, a "Mongol Shobhajatra"  was brought out from the chancery premises. 

The traditional procession ended at the same place after parading the nearby street of the Embassy. 

Traditional Bangladeshi food items were served at the end of the program which was highly appreciated by the foreign guests.