Dhaka-The nation on Monday paid rich tributes to Father of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by observing the National Mourning Day with due reverence and solemnity, commemorating the 41st anniversary of his martyrdom.The government, ruling Awami League, its associate bodies, different socio-cultural, political and professional bodies also marked the day with elaborate programmes.
The national flag was flown half-mast, while the black flag hoisted at government, non-government, semi-government, autonomous offices, educational institutions and Bangladesh missions abroad as a mark of respect to the martyrs of August 15, 1975.
Wearing black badges and holding black banners mourners visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32 and placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu and offered fateha.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — the architect of country’s independence — was assassinated along with his spouse and most of his family members at the dreadful night on August 15 in 1975 by a group of derailed army personnel under a deep-rooted conspiracy against the country and its independence.
His two daughters — Sheikh Hasina, now the Prime Minister, and Sheikh Rehana — luckily survived the massacre as they were abroad at that time.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid deep homage to the greatest son of the soil, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the morning.
After the placing of the wreaths, a smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave guard of honour as bugle played the last post.
The President and the Prime Minister, also the eldest daughter of the Father of the Nation, stood in solemn silence in front of the portrait for some time. Later, a munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of Bangabandhu and martyrs of August 15.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Deputy Leader of the Jatiya Sangsad Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Bangabandhu’s youngest daughter Sheikh Rehana, Prime Minister’s daughter Saima Hossain, cabinet members, PM’s advisers, parliament members, cabinet secretary, chiefs of the three services, senior leaders of Awami League and central 14-Party Alliance and senior government officials were present on the occasion.
Flanked by senior Awami League leaders, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of the ruling party, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu.
Leaders of different political parties and social, cultural and professional bodies and institutions also thronged Bangabandhu Bhaban, where the military putsch had taken place on August 15, 1975, to pay their respects to the great leader.
Later, the Prime Minister went to Banani Graveyard in the city and paid homage to her mother Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib, her brothers Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell and other martyrs of August 15 by placing wreaths and showering petals on their graves.
She also offered fateha seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of the August 15 massacre.
Later, she flew in Tungipara, Gopalganj and paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at his mausoleum there.
After placing the wreaths, the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence for some time there as a mark of respect to the memory of the founder of Bangladesh.
A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the three services gave state salute on the occasion while the bugle played the last post. The chiefs of the three services were present.
Accompanied by her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, the Prime Minister then offered prayers at his mazar seeking eternal peace of departed souls of Bangabandhu, Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib and other martyrs of August 15, 1975 massacre.
A milad mahfil was held at Bangabhaban Darbar Hall after Zohr prayers on the occasion attended by President Abdul Hamid.
Another milad was arranged at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi after Asr prayers. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined the milad mahfil arranged by Bangladesh Mohila Awami League.
Doa and milad mahfils were held in mosques after Zohr prayers and special prayers were arranged in temples, pagodas, churches and other worship across the country. Food was also distributed among insolvent and destitute people. All public hospital across the country served free treatment with medicines and medical tests for the patients from 9 am-12 noon.
Bangladesh missions abroad also observed the day in a befitting manner.
The day was a public holiday. State-run Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations aired special programmes highlighting the life, struggle and achievements of the great leader while newspapers brought out supplements on the occasion.
Besides, Awami League will arrange a discussion at the city’s Krishibid Institution at 4:00pm on Tuesday. Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the programme as the chief guest.
