In early August 1291, people of three alpine cantons found that they were stronger together and they signed a Charter forging an alliance of mutual protection. This moment is considered as the very beginning of the Swiss Confederation and the First of August has become our National Day.

As the COVID-19 pandemic imperils lives and livelihoods, Switzerland has provided additional 9.8 million Swiss Francs (approximately 90 crore taka) to Bangladesh to scale up its support for an effective community-based response to the pandemic.

Close your eyes for a couple of seconds and think about Switzerland. What do you see?