Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had established an independent state for the Bangalees through his uncompromising struggle.

Yesterday, the nation paid rich tributes to the Father of the Nation on the occasion of his 44th death anniversary and the National Mourning Day.

People observed the day recalling the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu and renewing the pledge to safeguard the country’s independence and sovereignty.

The government, the Awami League, different political and socio-cultural organisations, educational institutions and professional bodies observed the day by organising various programmes, reports BSS.

The national flag was hoisted half-mast atop the offices of all government, semi-government and autonomous bodies and educational institutions.

In the morning, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at the capital’s Dhanmondi-32.

After placing the wreaths, the two leaders stood there in solemn silence for some time in respect of the great leader.

A contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave state salute at that time as the bugle played the last post, reports UNB.

A munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of those who were killed in the August 15 carnage.

After paying tributes to Bangabandhu, the PM visited the historic Dhanmondi residence of Bangabandhu, which has been turned into Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.

Following the visits by the president, the PM and other dignitaries, people from all walks of life, wearing black badges, thronged the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum to pay their respects to the Father of the Nation.

Hasina later went to the Banani graveyard and spread flower petals on the graves of the victims of the August 15 carnage. She joined a munajat there.

AL advisory council members Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed and Rashidul Alam, presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Muhammad Faruk Khan, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzaque, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Information Minister Hasan Mahmud, among others, were present.

The president and the PM issued separate messages on the eve of the National Mourning Day.

Bangabandhu, his spouse Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, and Sheikh Russell and most of his family members were killed in cold blood on August 15, 1975.

His daughters Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana had been abroad at that time.

HASINA VISITS TUNGIPARA

The prime minister arrived in Tungipara, the ancestral home of Bangabandhu, by a helicopter in the morning. She paid tributes to the Father of the Nation at his grave there.

After placing a wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, cabinet members, senior AL leaders, chiefs of the three services, and senior civil and military officials were present.

Hasina offered prayers seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation and the other victims of the August 15 massacre.

Later, the PM, along with senior party leaders, placed another wreath at the grave on behalf of the party.

The AL took elaborate programmes to observe the day. In the morning, party leaders placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the capital.

They also placed wreaths at the Banani graveyard and offered prayers for Bangabandhu’s family members.

A delegation of the AL Central Executive Committee joined the programmes in Tungipara.

In the afternoon, party leaders distributed food among the poor and orphans at the AL headquarters on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital.

Besides, Awami Jubo League, Krishak League and Chhatra League organised separate programmes.

The district and upazila administrations observed the day through holding prayers and discussions.

Special prayers were offered at mosques and places of worship of other religions across the country.

All city corporations, district councils, municipalities and union parishads organised different programmes to observe the day.

Bangladesh missions abroad arranged discussions and hoisted the national flag half-mast atop their offices.

Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private TV channels and radio stations aired special programmes marking the National Mourning Day.

The national dailies and local newspapers brought out special supplements yesterday. Besides, specially designed posters were displayed at educational institutions and other public places.

PM JOINS MILAD

Prime Minister Hasina joined a milad and doa mahfil in front of the capital’s Bangabandhu Memorial Museum after Asr prayers yesterday. Bangladesh Mohila Awami League arranged the programme.

PM’s daughter Saima Wazed Hossain and other family members and relatives also attended the milad.

Meanwhile, a discussion will be held at the capital’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at 4:00pm today on the occasion of the National Mourning Day, with the PM in the chair.