Photo: Courtesy
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) organized an annual memorial ceremony to pay condolences to the seven Japanese consultants who lost their lives during the Holey Artisan attack on July 1, 2016. The ceremony was held on Wednesday (3 July), at Metro Rail Exhibition and Information Center (MEIC), located in the capital’s Uttara area.
The seven lost Japanese had significantly contributed to the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project. In his ceremonial address, HARA Shohei, Senior Vice President, JICA, said, “Eight years have passed since the tragic incident. I am filled with the deepest sadness and regret at the loss of all those who dedicated their invaluable time and efforts to the development of Bangladesh. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families who suddenly lost their loved ones, and it is truly heartbreaking to reflect on their grief that can never be truly healed even after eight years since the incident.”
During the speech, he also shared JICA’s pledge to never forget their contributions to the project and their legacy, and to ensure utmost safety of those engaged in the operations. Since its opening in December 2022, Dhaka Metro Line 6 has been a staple in the lives of Dhaka citizens, carrying approximately 350,000 daily passengers. Today, Dhaka Metro is a symbol of development of Bangladesh due to its convenience and safety. JICA will continue international cooperation towards the development of developing countries including Bangladesh, as well as peace in the international community.
The memorial ceremony was organized in partnership among the Government of Japan, the Government of Bangladesh, and Japanese Consultants such as Almec Corporation, Oriental Consultants Global, and Katahira and Engineers International.
The ceremony was attended by HARA Shohei, Senior Vice President, JICA; KUSAKABE Hideki, Deputy Director-General/Deputy Assistant Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; NAKAMURA Tomohiko, President, Katahira and Engineers International; Toufique Hasan, Director General, (East Asia and Pacific Wing) Ministry of Foreign Affairs; M. A. N. Siddique, Managing Director, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited; Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance; and ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, Secretary, Road Transport and Highways Division, Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, who conveyed some special messages in memory of the victims.
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