The nation is celebrating the 99th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a befitting manner on Saturday (Mar 17). The day is also being observed as the National Children’s Day as Bangabandhu liked to spend time with children on his birthday. The day is a public holiday too.
On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu, the architect of independent Bangladesh, was born in a respected Muslim family in Tungipara village of the then Gopalganj sub-division.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this morning paid rich tributes to the Father of the Nation, heralding the nationwide programmes on the occasion of the 99th birthday of the great leader. The premier paid the homage by placing a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at historic 32 Dhanmondi Road, local media reports said.
After laying the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation. Cabinet members, PM's advisers, parliament members and senior leaders of Bangladesh Awami League were present.
Later, flanked by the central party leaders of Bangladesh Awami League, Sheikh Hasina laid another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party as the President of Bangladesh Awami League.
Later, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokan, leaders of associate bodies of Awami League and other sociocultural organisations placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu.
The ruling Awami League and its associate bodies have chalked out a different programmes in observance of the day. The programmes include hoisting of national and party flags atop of their offices and placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road 32 in the capital.
The PM flew to Tungipara after placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32 in the capital city.
President Md. Abdul Hamid first laid a wreath at the mazar of Bangabandhu followed by the PM. After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation as the bugle played the last post. A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force gave an honour guard on the occasion.
Abdul Hamid and Sheikh Hasina offered Fateha and joined a munajat seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of Bangabandhu as well as other martyrs of the Aug 15 carnage.
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Awami League Presidium Member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Engineer Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sharif Dilu, PM's Security Adviser Major General (retd) Tariq Ahmed Siddiq, Jatiya Sangsad Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Mian, AL Presidium Member Kazi Zafarullah, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki, Abul Hasnat Abdullah, MP, AL Joint Secretaries Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman, Organizing Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim were present on the occasion, among others.
Besides, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam, PM's Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman, Chief of Army Staff General Abu Belal Mohammad Shafiul Haque, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nizamuddin Ahmed, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Abu Esrar, Inspector General of Police Dr Javed Patwary, Information Secretary Abdul Malek, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim, President's Press Secretary Joynul Abedin and senior AL leaders and high civil and military officials were present. Later, the President signed the visitor's book kept on the mazar premises.
Milad and Doa Mehfils will be organised at mosques while prayer sessions will also be arranged at other places of worship across the country seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and his family members.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and other private TV channels and radio stations are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the day in the life of Bangalees. The national dailies have brought out special supplements on the occasion.
Bangladeshi missions in different countries will also celebrate the day with due respect.
