The 97th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was celebrated across the country on Thursday with due respect.
On March 17 in 1920, the architect of the nation was born in Tungipara upazila of Gopalganj district.
Through his dynamic leadership, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had organised the Bengali nation to fight against exploitation and repression by the Pakistani rulers that culminated in independent Bangladesh through nine months of war in 1971.
On August 15, 1975, the great leader of the land was assassinated along with most members of his family by a cabal of army men.
The day that is being observed as the National Children’s Day is also a public holiday.
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages marking the day.
The President said, “We’ll have to build our young generation with the spirit of noble qualities so that they can materialize Bangabandhu’s dream of transforming the country into ‘Sonar-Bangla’ (Golden Bengal). We have to put in our sincere endeavor to flourish the intrinsic values of our children from their very childhood.”
He urged all, irrespective of party affiliation, to take united efforts for building a happy and prosperous Bangladesh and ensuring a bright future for children.
PM said, “The charismatic leadership and personality of Bangabandhu had brought the whole nation under one umbrella. As a result of which, we got the independent and sovereign Bangladesh, and the Bangalee nationalism flourished.”
“We are pledge-bound to make our beloved Bangladesh a safe habitat for children. We have to work together, irrespective of party affiliation and opinion, to build the children developing their self-confidence, flourishing their patriotism, creativity and building their personality,” she added.
The Prime Minister paid homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the capital at 7:00 am.
The President and the Prime Minister will pay tributes to Father of the Nation by placing wreaths at his grave in Tungipara at 10 am.
The Prime Minister will also join a cultural program, a children’s gathering and discussion arranged on the occasion in Tungipara.
She will also inaugurate a book fair and distribute sewing machines there.
Besides, the ruling Awami League, its associate bodies and different socio-cultural and political organisations chalked out elaborate programs to mark the day in a befitting manner across the country.
The programs of the ruling party include hoisting of the national and party flags atop Bangabandhu Bhaban in the capital and AL offices across the country at 6.30 am, placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Bhaban at 7.00 am.
The ruling party will organize a discussion marking Bangabandhu’s birth anniversary at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at 3 pm on March 18.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over the program.