The 70th birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was observed on Monday (Aug 5) in a befitting manner. Bangladesh Awami League, its associate bodies and different political, socio-cultural and sports organisations drew up elaborate programmes marking the day.
Leaders and workers of Awami League and its associate bodies paid tributes to Sheikh Kamal by placing wreaths at his portrait on Dhanmondi Abahani Club premises at 8 a.m.
Bangladesh Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Awami League Joint General Secretaries — Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Advocate Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman, Awami League Publicity and Publication Secretary and Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, Organizing Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, Cultural Affairs Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil were present on the occasion, among others.
Party leaders and workers also paid homage by placing wreaths at Sheikh Kamal’s grave at the Banani graveyard at 9 a.m. Qurankhawni, Milad and Doa Mehfil was also held, local media reported.
Dhaka City North and South units of Awami League, Awami Jubo League, Awami Swechchhasebak League, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Jubo Mahila League, Krishak League, Mohila Awami League, Jatiyo Sramik League also paid homage at the grave of Sheikh Kamal.
Abahani Limited and ‘Abahani Shomorthok Ghosthi’ also paid tributes to Sheikh Kamal by placing wreaths at his portrait on Dhanmondi Abahani Club premises and his grave at Banani Graveyard.
Awami Swechchhasebak League arranged a discussion on the premises of Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi at 11 a.m. marking the birth anniversary. Awami League Advisory Council Member Amir Hossain Amu addressed the discussion as the chief guest while Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) President Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin and Swechchhasebak League general secretary Pankaj Debnath, among others, spoke on the occasion. Swechchhasebak League President Mollah Md Abu Kawser chaired it.
Awami Jubo League also arranged a discussion in Shilpakala Academy auditorium at 11 a.m. Awami League Advisory Council Member Tofail Ahmed addressed it as the chief guest with Jubo League Chairman Omar Faroque Chowdhury in the chair.
Born on Aug 5, 1949 at Tungipara in Gopalganj, Sheikh Kamal was a former executive member of the central committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League.
After passing Secondary School Certificate examination from Shahin School and HSC from Dhaka College, Kamal was admitted into Dhaka University.
Sheikh Kamal was well-trained on war-course and he got commission before taking part in the Liberation War in 1971. He was the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Commander-in-Chief of Bangladesh Armed Forces General Ataul Gani Osmani during the War of Liberation.
Sheikh Kamal was one of the pioneers of modern football in Bangladesh and also founder-president of Abahani Krira Chakra. He used to play cricket in the first division for Azad Boys Club and Basketball too in the first division for Spurs Club.
Sheikh Kamal was also a founder-member of Dhaka Theatre and Spondon Shilpa Gousthi, a musical band of folk songs.
He was martyred on Aug 15 in 1975 at the age of 26 while he was a Master’s Degree (final year) examinee.
