To commemorate the 65th anniversary of the first human flight into space and the International Day of Human Space Flight, a ceremonial unveiling of the bust of Yuri Gagarin was held at the National Museum of Science and Technology (NMST) in Dhaka, a press release said.
The event, organized through the joint efforts of the Embassy of the Russian Federation, the Russian Society of Friendship with Bangladesh, the Russian House in Dhaka, , in collaboration with the National Museum of Science and Technology (NMST), celebrated the enduring legacy of the man who, on April 12, 1961, opened the gates of the cosmos to all of humanity.
The ceremony was inaugurated by Alexandra Khlevnoy, Director of the Russian House in Dhaka. In her opening proclamation, she described space exploration as a “bridge that connects people regardless of geography or language,” emphasizing that the installation of the monument serves as a permanent testament to the friendship between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
H.E. Alexander Khozin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Bangladesh, delivered a keynote address reflecting on Gagarin’s courage and the global impact of his mission. “Yuri Gagarin’s flight was an achievement for the whole of mankind,” the Ambassador remarked. He further highlighted Russia’s role in assisting developing nations in space exploration and expressed hope that a Bangladeshi citizen would soon follow in Gagarin’s footsteps, perhaps repeating his famous “Let’s go!” (Poyekhali!).
Sattar Mia, President of the Russian Society of Friendship with Bangladesh and the sponsor of the bust, emphasized that the monument symbolizes a growing partnership in science and education. This sentiment was echoed by Munira Sultana, Director General of the NMST, and Moshurul Amin, President of the Bangladesh Astronomical Association, who noted the inspirational value of the exhibit for the country’s youth.
A highlight of the morning was a speech by A. Laheri, a talented Bangladeshi student and winner of the Russian Government scholarship to study Astronomy in Russia. She shared her vision of how Russian educational excellence will help her contribute to Bangladesh’s future scientific landscape.
The official unveiling was followed by a vibrant cultural program performed by students of the Russian Embassy School. The program included scientific reports, English poetry recitals, and a moving rendition of “Trava u Doma” (Grass Near the House), the traditional anthem of Russian cosmonauts.
The festivities concluded with:
Art Exhibition: A gallery tour of space-themed drawings by Russian and Bangladeshi children.
Commemorative Gifts: The distribution of “ForeverFirst” T-shirts to young participants and souvenir gift bags.
Cinema: A special screening of short films from the Tsiolkovsky International Space Film Festival.
The installation of the Yuri Gagarin bust at the NMST stands as a new landmark in Dhaka, inspiring future generations of Bangladeshi scientists, pilots, and dreamers to look toward the stars.
