In a first for Bangladesh, Rosatom Engineering Division held an international environmental and patriotic event at the Green City, the residential complex for Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant staff.
The event, titled “Remembrance Garden,” saw Rosatom employees and volunteers planting 28 fir trees to honor the memory of both Russians and Bangladeshis who lost their lives fighting in World War II.
Alexey Deriy, Vice President of Atomstroyexport, spoke at the "Remembrance Garden" event, emphasizing the importance of both environmental stewardship and remembering those who fell in World War II.
"We hold dear the memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War," Deriy said, "and the 'Remembrance Garden' event is a chance to honor those who sacrificed their lives for victory. These trees will not only serve as a reminder of our fathers' and grandfathers' heroism, but they will also significantly contribute to improving our planet's environment."
Deriy went on to highlight Rosatom's commitment to environmental responsibility, stating, "As a company that cares for the environment, Rosatom has become a regular participant and promoter of numerous environmental initiatives."
The event underscored the long-standing relationship between Bangladesh and the former Soviet Union. Deriy acknowledged the USSR's crucial role in aiding Bangladesh's economic recovery after the 1971 War of Liberation.
Deriy specifically mentioned the Soviet sailors' mine-clearing efforts in the Port of Chittagong, raising sunken ships – a largely unknown but significant act of foreign assistance by the USSR.
The "Remembrance Garden" event held at the Green City recently became part of a larger international initiative.
Spearheaded by the Russian Foundation in Memory of Victory Combat Leaders, and supported by the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and the Federal Forestry Agency, the project aims to plant 27 million trees in memory of those who perished in the Great Patriotic War.
This large-scale environmental and patriotic effort goes beyond just planting trees. The message behind "Remembrance Garden" is to create "green monuments" that not only honor fallen heroes but also address the pressing issue of forest preservation and restoration, says Rosatom in a press statement.
Participation allows individuals to mitigate their carbon footprint while contributing to a lasting environmental impact.
Far from a localized effort, "Remembrance Garden" has seen volunteers from over 50 countries plant trees in their respective regions, fostering a global spirit of environmental responsibility and historical remembrance, the statement added.