Bangabandhu’s 98th birth anniversary celebrated

The nation celebrated the 98th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman today in a befitting manner.

The day is also celebrated as the National Children’s Day. It is a public holiday.

On this day in 1920, the nation’s architect was born in Tungipara of Gopalganj.

Through his dynamic leadership, Bangabandhu organised the Bangalee nation to fight against exploitation and repression by the Pakistani rulers. The movement culminated in independent Bangladesh through the nine-month Liberation War in 1971.

On August 15, 1975, the great leader along with most of his family members was assassinated by a disgruntled group of army men.

Different socio-political organisations, including the Awami League and its associated bodies, have drawn up various programmes to observe the day.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this morning paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion, UNB adds.

She placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at historic Dhanmondi 32 in Dhaka.

After laying the wreaths, 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 leaders of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina laid another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party as its president.

Besides, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid their homage by placing wreaths at the mazar (mausoleum) of Bangabandhu in Tungipara of Gopalganj on the occasion, BSS adds.

President Abdul Hamid first laid a wreath at the mazar of Bangabandhu followed by the Prime Minister.

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 August 15 carnage.

Hasina released a commemorative postage stamp on Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Bangabandhu, and unveiled the cover of a children's book titled “Amader Chhoto Russel Sona”.

She addressed a children's rally, discussion meeting, cultural programme and opened a book fair. She also visited a painting exhibition of children and distributed sewing machines among the disadvantaged.

A Qurankhani and a milad mahfil was held at the Baitul Mukarram national mosque.

The AL will organise a discussion at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at 3:00pm tomorrow, which will be attended by the PM.

The president and the prime minister have issued separate messages on the occasion.