For the seventh consecutive year, the Bangladesh Community in France (BCF) has organised a grand felicitation ceremony in Paris to honour the academic achievements of Bangladeshi and Bangladeshi-origin students living in the country. Held at the prestigious star-rated auditorium in Rue Thierry Curie, the colourful event brought together students, parents, diplomats, community leaders and distinguished guests in a celebration of talent, perseverance and cultural pride.
This year, BCF recognised a total of 30 outstanding individuals who excelled across different levels of education. Among them were 10 students who successfully completed the French curriculum, one who passed BTS, two who completed Honours, 15 Master’s graduates and one newly qualified medical doctor. Each of these high achievers was presented with a crest as a gesture of appreciation and encouragement. The event was anchored by BCF Vice President Zahidul Rana, alongside Fatema Tuz Zohra, Tania Rahman and Farsina Hossain, who ensured the evening flowed seamlessly.
The ceremony welcomed a distinguished chief guest — Khandker M Talha, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO and Ambassador to France. His recent election as President of UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference added special significance to his presence, for which he received a dedicated honour. Alongside him, several organisations and individuals were also recognised for their contributions, including the MC Institute, the women’s organisation With the Mind, Nupur Haque, the Bangladesh Students and Alumni Association in Belgium, social worker Khaled Mahmud and theatre personality Shoaib Mozammel.
The programme was further graced by the presence of Defence Attaché Brigadier General Mohammad Khairuzzaman Molla (NDC, PSC), First Secretary and Head of Chancery Walid Bin Kashem, Minister (Commercial) Mizanur Rahman, Second Secretary K F M Sharhad Shakil and various prominent members of the expatriate community. Notable among them were politicians and community figures such as M A Taher, Abul Khair Laskar, Juned Ahmed, Saiful Islam, and cultural and social organisers including Obaidullah Koyes, Mia Masud and Shahidul Islam.
One of the highlights of the evening was the unveiling of a special souvenir magazine, Sahojatri, edited by journalist Mosaddeq Hossain Saiful. The publication was jointly launched by the France–Bangladesh Journalists’ Association (FBJA)’s coordinator Mohammad Mahbub Hossain, spokesperson Mohammad Arif Ullah, Press Club President Ferdous Karim Akhanji, as well as senior journalists Abul Kalam Mamun, Iqbal Zafar, Russell Ahmed, Badal Pal, Masud Ahmed, Saiful Islam Rony, Abu Bakar Al Amin and Rezaul Islam Raju.
Recognition was also extended to the French NGO CFF-G for its humanitarian collaboration with Gonoshasthaya Kendra, founded by the late Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury in Savar. The French delegation was formally honoured for its long-standing contribution to social welfare projects.
The event opened with a mesmerising violin rendition by Arshi Barua, who performed the national anthems of Bangladesh and France, marking a symbolic union of cultures. Motivational speakers Ashraf, Ishtiaq Akib and Oishi Khan inspired the audience with thought-provoking addresses. The cultural segment included songs by Soma Das, choreographed dance performances under the direction of G M Shariful Islam, and a special presentation by a French dance group.
In his welcome speech, BCF Director Nur expressed his determination to expand the organisation’s social service activities with the support of the wider community. Vice President Mozammel Hossain and General Secretary Nazmul Kabir highlighted the current initiatives and future development plans of BCF. Guests praised the annual programme as a powerful symbol of community progress and an inspiring platform for recognising the new generation’s academic brilliance abroad.