Sheikh Russell Day is being observed in the country today (Oct 18) in a befitting manner coinciding with the 60th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's youngest son Shaheed Sheikh Russell. Russell, also the youngest brother of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was born on Oct 18 in 1964 at the historic Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi road number 32 in the capital. He was brutally assassinated along with most of his family members, including his father Bangabandhu, on Aug 15, 1975 when he was a student of class four at University Laboratory School.
The Cabinet Division in 2021 declared Oct 18, the birthday of Sheikh Russell, as ‘Sheikh Russell Day’ under the category "Ka".
To mark the day, government bodies, ruling Awami League and its associate bodies and different socio-cultural organizations will observe various programmes at national and international levels. The day will also be observed at Bangladesh missions abroad while different TV channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day today, local media reported.
Youngest of the family, his world revolved around his father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, mother Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, sisters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana and brothers Sheikh Kamal and Sheikh Jamal.
In 1971, Russell and his family, including his mother and two sisters, were imprisoned in a house on Dhanmondi, road No. 18. His father Bangabandhu was imprisoned in a jail in Pakistan and his two elder brothers Sheikh Kamal and Sheikh Jamal had gone to fight in the Liberation War. He was released on Dec 16, 1971, along with his mother, sisters and other family members. Russell came out of the house saying 'Joy Bangla'. Victory celebrations were going on out there.
Russell was assassinated along with his family members in a domestic and foreign conspiracy on the night of Aug 15, 1975. He was then only a student of grade 4 of University Laboratory School.
