I WAS “VVIP” AT THE FRENCH NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION : HELD ON 13TH JULY 2023 : I HAD CONFUSION WHY NOT 14TH JULY 2023 – THE REAL DAY – FALL OF BASTILLE – 1789.

July 15, 2023 / Shariful Islam Sharif

I WAS “VVIP” AT THE FRENCH NATIONAL DAY RECEPTION : HELD ON 13TH JULY 2023 : I HAD CONFUSION WHY NOT 14TH JULY 2023 – THE REAL DAY – FALL OF BASTILLE – 1789.

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1. However, I was ‘Super Happy’ to have had a ‘Car Sticker’ enclosed in my Invitation marked as ‘VVIP’ (Parking Permit).

2. In my not so long a career I struggled hard swimming through the severe “Political Inferno” to make upto an ONE STAR GENERAL (Maximum – Given Status was VIP). But I was overwhelmed to have received the VVIP Invitation card – and a Status in the car park.

3. So well attired, when I was about to alight at the main gate of the Embassy, I was happy to see the Policemen getting jittery & little more ready to usher my 2009 Model Noah in the arena of the Embassy. But I began to feel ‘Uncomfortable’ having to witness most other luminaries alighting from vehicles of 2022-24 models, heavy looking V-8 / V-6 SUVs & high profile limousines like Mercedes S class, with real VVIPs disembarking in style, poised with an aura of sophistication & aristocracy.

4. The unfortunate part was, while leaving the Reception, my goofy driver got disoriented & was totally lost. The vehicle did not turn up at all. So I ‘The VVIP’ had to walk quite a bit, before I could again claim to be a VVIP as vividly seen displayed on the windscreen of the vehicle.

5. In full fume & anger I called the CFO – whom I ordered to fine Tk. 25/00 against the Driver’s salary, who let me down so much. Incidentally my smart & original driver was on leave – as such the “Debacle & the Disaster”

6. In the ‘Reception’ I met my good old Security Counterpart of the Embassy Mr. Eric KOSCIELNY

. He was very happy to greet me along with Mr. Luc GARCIA

. Both said they were leaving Bangladesh soon. Both did not forget to enquire about my ‘French Connection’ I showed them the latest photos/images of my bondage with the great country named ‘France’ – turned into a Republic in the year 1789 after a Revolution. I had read little history to recollect the great role played by Rousseau,Voltaire & Montesquie in the great Revolution, known in the history as the French Revolution. I also recollected how Monarchs were ‘Guillotined’( Heads chopped off )

“ Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

The people of France overthrew their ancient government in 1789. They took as their slogan the famous phrase “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”—Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. Equality, or doing away with privilege, was the most important part of the slogan to the French revolutionists.“