The ruling Bangladesh Awami League along with different political and social organizations on Sunday (Apr 17) paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day. Homage was paid to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait on Bangabandhu Bhaban premises at Dhanmondi road number 32 in Dhaka in the morning, local media reported.
At the beginning, senior leaders of Awami League paid glowing tributes to the portrait of the Father of the Nation on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the occasion. Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader along with party’s senior leaders later paid homage to Bangabandhu on behalf of the party.
Awami League Presidium Members Begum Matia Chowdhury and Agriculture Minister Dr. Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Organizing Secretaries Ahmed Hossain and Mirza Azam, Liberation Affairs Secretary Mrinal Kanti Das, Cultural Secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Office Secretary Biplob Barua, Central Committee Member Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Deputy Minister for Water Resources AKM Enamul Haque Shamim, among others, were present.
Dhaka South and North City Unit of Awami League, Awami Jubo League, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Awami Swechchhasebak League, Krishak League, Jatiyo Sramik League and other front organizations also paid homage to Bangabandhu on the Mujibnagar Day.
The historic Mujibnagar Day was observed on Sunday marking the oath-taking ceremony of country’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 Apr 17 to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh.
Baidyanathtala, mainly a mango orchard, was later named Mujibnagar after ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared the first president of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, while Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.
Tajuddin Ahmed was appointed as the first prime minister, while Khondoker Moshtaque Ahmed, Capt M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamaruzzaman were named as 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.
