Luncheon Speech by Hon'ble Adviser for Foreign Affairs in honour of Mrs. Cherie Blair on 23 April 2008 at State Guest House, Padma

- It's an honour and a pleasure for me to warmly welcome Mrs. Cherie Blair, one of several distinguished British visitors who have traveled to this country in the recent past. Which is also indication of the close ties that bind our two societies, that are rooted in history, and a shared intellectual heritage.

- Cherie Blair, a fighter for just causes at home and abroad, needs no introduction in Bangladesh, where women's empowerment is one of our success stories, as are microcredit and non-formal education that have been transforming the societal landscape of this country in a positive way that is no less than a 'quiet revolution'. This is why we have gathered around this table individuals who have steered the process, who would have made it to a contemporary pantheon of Carlyles' heroes.

- I have sought in a small measure to explain to Mrs. Blair our endeavours to institutionalize the values that make up the ethos of Bangladesh. We are aware of the strength of your belief in faith. We too believe that it is from such faith that the nation derives its determination for staying the course. Let me recount a story of Jesus in this respect. It provides us with an example worthy of emulation. He was on sleeping on a boat bound for Bethsaida. A storm arose on the Sea of Galilee. John went up to Peter and said we must turn the boat back. Peter said no, the Master said we should go to Bethsaida. John consulted with James, went back to Peter and said: James agrees, it is too dangerous, we must go back. No, reiterated Peter, the Master wanted us to go to Bethsaida and so we shall. But what if we sink? asked John. If we sink, said Peter, we will go down with the bow of our boat pointed towards Bethsaida.

- By now Mrs. Blair would have been well used to the prevalent values of this country. The influence of the London School of Economics, her Alma Mater, the penchant to find the causes of things, is well grounded in our life-styles. It has been said in our Cabinet Meetings there is often an empty chair for Harold Laski !

- Be that as it may, like many other peoples, we too have a long way to go. Yet, we share an aspiration for the same kind of world, one that is peaceful and stable, where human rights and rule of law prevail, where the environment is protected, and where governments learn it is better to live with an inconvenient idea than to try and suppress it. To the fruition of such an aspiration, and to the health and happiness of Mrs. Cherie Blair, I invite you to raise your glasses.