Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday (Apr 17) paid glowing tributes to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait at Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka marking the historic Mujibnagar Day. She placed the wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 7 a.m. Later, flanked by senior leaders, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the Bangladesh Awami League, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu as the party chief, local media reported.
The historic Mujibnagar Day was observed on Wednesday to mark the formation of Bangladesh's first government to lead the War of Liberation in 1971.
Leaders and activists of Awami League, as well, placed wreaths at the graves of Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmad and M Mansur Ali at Banani Graveyard in Dhaka.
The ruling Awami League and its associate bodies are observing the historic Mujibnagar Day amid due enthusiasm and importance as various programmes have been chalked out on the occasion. Of the programmes, national and party flags were hoisted atop all party offices across the country including its central office and Bangabandhu Bhaban premises in the morning.
The historic Mujibnagar Day marks the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh's first government on Apr 17, 1971.
Following the Pakistan army's genocide on unarmed Bangalees on the black night of Mar 25 in 1971, senior leaders of Awami League assembled at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur on 17 April to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh.
Baidyanathtala, mainly a mango orchard, is later named Mujibnagar after the ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared the first president of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, while Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed as the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.
Tajuddin Ahmed was appointed as the first Prime Minister, while Capt M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamaruzzaman were among the cabinet members. The interim government named General MAG Osmani as commander-in-chief of Mukti Bahini while appointed Major General Abdur Rob as chief of staff.
The provisional government gave successful leadership to the War of Liberation for achieving victory on Dec 16 in 1971.
