Mongla Port, the country's second seaport, entered its 71st year after completing 70 years of its establishment. The sea port started its journey on December 1 in 1950.
Deputy Secretary of Mongla Port Md Makruzzaman said that the port authorities have taken a massive programme on the occasion of the day.
The programme includes inauguration and rally of the founding anniversary of the port by flying pigeons and balloons symbolizing peace on the premises of the Bandar Bhaban on Wednesday (December 1) at 9 am.
Recitation of Holy Quran, Gita and Bible will be held at 10 am, greetings will be delivered by Rear Admiral Mohammad Musa, the chairman of the Port Authority and cake will be cut by the Chief Guest.
Later, at the ceremony crests will be given to the best users of the port as well as to the notable and departing officials. State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury will be present as the chief guest at this year's founding anniversary function.
Khulna City Corporation Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque, Deputy Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Begum Habibun Nahar along with senior officials of the Ministry of Shipping, military and civilian officials, senior officials of the port, representatives of port users, leaders of shipping agents and local leaders, public representatives and journalists will be present at the programme.
At 1.15 pm, the formality of the founding anniversary of the port will end with a prayer program for the progress of Mongla port and a luncheon at 1.30 pm.
It may be mentioned that the second seaport of the country started its journey to Mongla on December 1, 1950 under the name of Chalna Port. When the port was opened to foreign ships on December 11 of that year, the British merchant ship 'The City of Lions' made its first anchor at the port.
The port was shifted from Chalna to Mongla in 1954 as Mongla was more convenient for sea-going ships. At that time Mongla port was known as Chalna for a long time.
Since its inception, it first started as Chalna Anchor, then as Chalna Port Authority in 1986 and most recently as Mongla Port Authority since 1986.