Nation celebrates 98th birthday of Bangabandhu

The nation yesterday celebrated the 98th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a befitting manner.

Like previous years, the day was also observed as the National Children's Day as Bangabandhu liked to spend time with children on his birthday.

Marking the day, Bangabandhu Bhaban turned into a human sea while thousands people thronged at Dhanmondi-32 in the capital and paid rich tribute at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman yesterday.

Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina paid tribute laying floral wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Bhaban at 7am.

After paying tribute, the Prime Minster stood in silence for some times in front of the portrait. A smartly turned contingent of Bangladesh Army gave salute this time.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib, the architect of the Independent Bangladesh, was born in 1920 in a respected Muslim family at Tungipara in Gopalganj on this day.

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina accompanied with the party leaders paid floral wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of the party.

Awami League Advisory Council Members Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, AL presidium members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Advocate Sahara Khatun and Abdul Mannan, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Food Minister Advocate Quamrul Islam, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon, AL Organizing Secretary Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and Enamul Haq Shamim, Cultural Affairs Secretary Ashim Kumar Ukil, Information and Research Secretary Advocate Afzal Hossain, Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud, Office Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, among others, were present this time.

Then on behalf of the Central 14-party, led by Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) General Secretary Shirin Akhter, paid respect at the portrait of Bangabandhu. Bangladesher Samyabadi Dal (Marxist-Leninist) General Secretary Dilip Barua, Liberation Affairs secretary of AL Mrinal Kanti Das were also present at that time.

Marking the day, all sections of people along with different cultural, profession and social organizations including the ruling party and its different associate organizations thronged at the edge of east and western side of Dhanmondi-32 at around 6am for paying rich tribute at the portrait of Bangabandhu.

After the departure of the Prime Minister, leaders of different political, social, cultural and professional organizations thronged at Bangabandhu Bhaban to pay their respect.

Besides, different political and professional bodies including the Dhaka University led by its Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University led by its VC Prof Dr Kamrul Hasan Khan, Chhatra League Dhaka city north and south, Mohila Sramik League, Swadinata Chikitshak Parishad, Jubo League Dhaka city north and south, Swechhasebok League, Bangabandhu Parishad, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Matshyajibi League, Tanti League, Muktijoddah Janata League, Bangabandhu Sainik League, Jatiya Bidhut Sramik League, Mukijoddah Foundation and Bangabandhu Ain Parishad, also paid tribute at the portrait of Bangabandhu.

Later, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this morning paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at the mazar of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj.

A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force gave a guard of honour 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.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Awami League Presidium Member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Agriculture Minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque,

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Engineer Khandakar Mosharraf Hossain, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman, Land Minister Shamsur Rahman Sharif Dilu, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, PM's Security Adviser Major General (retd) Tariq Ahmed Siddiq, AL Presidium Member Muhammad Faruk Khan, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki, AL Joint Secretaries Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman, Organizing Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim were present on the occasion, among others.

The premier opened a book fair and a photography exhibition titled "Khoka Theke Bangabandhu" at Bangabandhu Mausoleum Complex.

She went round different stalls of the book fair, and witnessed rare photos of Bangabandhu that have been put on display at the photography exhibition. Dhaka University (DU) led by its Vice-Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.

A discussion was held at the Teacher-Student Centre of DU at 10.30am. Prayers were held after Jumma prayers at different residential hall mosques including the central mosque and Upasanaloy at Jagannath Hall. DU Fine Arts Faculty staged drawing competition from 10am to 12 noon on the faculty premises.

Islamic Foundation arranged Quran Khwani, Milad and Doa Mahfil at over 60,000 academic institutions including madrasas and mosques, including National Mosque Baitul Mukarram, throughout the country at 10am for eternal peace of departed souls of Bangabandhu and his family members who were assassinated on August 15, 1975.

A special prayer was held at Dhakeswari National Temple at 11am marking the day. Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) leaders and members placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu on the Jatiya Press Club Premises.

Besides, Cultural Affairs Ministry, Information Ministry, National Library, Department of Films and Publications and Directorate of Mass Communication screened documentary and staged weeklong exhibition on Bangabandhu and Liberation War at district and upazila levels.

Bangladeshi missions in different countries also celebrated the day with due respect.

The government arranged showing of a three dimensional video of historic 7th March Speech of Bangabandhu titled "Pita" at Star Cineplex of Bashundhara City in Panthopath in the capital city from 10am to 1pm. Some 1,500 children and juvenile enjoyed the show.

Source: BSS