Nation pays glorious tribute to Bangabandhu

Publish: 1:08 PM, August 16, 2018 | Update: 1:08 PM, August 16, 2018

DHAKA, Aug 16, 2018 (BSS) – The nation paid rich tributes to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mubijur Rahman with a renewed pledge to materialize his dream to build a “Sonar Bangla” thwarting conspiracies of the anti-liberation and communal forces.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday led the nation in paying homage to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman marking the 43rd anniversary of his martyrdom.

The President and the Prime Minister paid homage to the architect of the independence by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 in the capital yesterday morning.

As part of the state programme, the President and the Prime Minister laid wreaths separately at the portrait of Bangabandhu.

After placing wreaths, the President and the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence for sometime showing respect to the great leader.

A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave state salute at that time, while bugle played tune of grief and somber to the last post.

Munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the August 15 carnage.

Sheikh Rehana, youngest daughter of Bangabandhu, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, cabinet members, Prime Minister’s advisors, chiefs of three services, senior leaders of Awami League and 14-Party and senior government officials were present.

Later, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Awami League, flanked by party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader and senior leaders placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of the Awami League.

After paying tributes to Bangabandhu, the Prime Minister along with her sister Sheikh Rehana visited the historic residence of Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 which witnessed the world’s most barbaric carnage on this day 43 years ago.

Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana stayed for some times in the house which now has been turned into Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.

Later, the Prime Minister went to Banani Graveyard where her mother Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell and other martyrs of August 15 were laid to eternal rest.

Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana placed floral wreaths and spread flower petals on their graves.

She also offered Fateha and doa seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of August 15.

People of the capital and its adjacent areas paid rich tributes to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The day was also observed with a fresh vow to bring back the fugitive convicted killers of Bangabandhu to execute verdict of the murder case.

Apart from Awami League, its front and associate bodies, different political parties, socio-cultural organizations, trade unions, professional organizations and district administration organised separate programmes of the day.

Wearing black badges, people in thousands from all walks life thronged the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the historic house at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 in the morning to pay their profound homage to the architect of independence of the country and the nation by placing wreaths at his portrait there.

On this very day in 1975, the self-confessed killers brutally assassinated Bangabandhu and other members of his family and relatives. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, escaped the planned assassination with her sister Sheikh Rehana as they were staying overseas then.

The nation recalled the most brutal killings of history with profound and heartbreaking grief while refreshed their pledge to uphold forever the spirit of the War of Independence and protect the sovereignty of the country and the nation.

The month of mourning, however, began on August 1 through holding of various programmes including discussions, photo exhibitions and screening of documentaries on the life and works of Bangabandhu.

The state programmes for the National Mourning Day began with hoisting of the national flag at half-mast and raising of black flags atop public and private buildings, including Bangabandhu Bhaban as a mark of respect to the martyrs of August 15, 1975 carnage.

The day is public holiday.

President and prime minister gave separate messages on the eve of the day, urging the nation to uphold and follow the ideals of the architect of independence who devoted his life for the well-being of the people and the country.

In Tungipara, Gopalganj, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his mazar yesterday morning on the occasion of his 43rd martyrdom anniversary and the National Mourning Day.

After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some times as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the architect of the independence, who was brutally killed by some disgruntled army men on the dreadful night of August 15, 1975 along with most of his family members.

A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the three services gave a state salute on the occasion, while bugle played the last post. Chiefs of the three services were present at that time.

Accompanied by Sheikh Rehana, the younger daughter of Bangabandhu, and other family members, the premier then offered munajat at the mazar seeking eternal peace of departed souls of Father of the Nation, Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib and other martyrs of August 15, 1975 massacre.

Prayers were also offered seeking continued peace, progress and prosperity of the nation.

President M Abdul Hamid yesterday hosted a milad and doa mahfil at Darbar hall of Bangabhaban after Zohr prayers marking the National Mourning Day and the 43rd martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

A special munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other family members, who faced martyrdom on the fateful August 15 in 1975, and the martyrs who made their supreme sacrifice during the 1971 Liberation War and different other democratic movements in different times.

Family members of the President, Secretaries concerned to the President, civil and military officials and employees of Bangabhaban attended the milad- mahfil and munajat.

Bangabhaban Jame Masjid Pesh Imam Maulana Muhammad Saiful Kabir conducted the munajat.

Earlier, a documentary on the life and works of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, produced by the Department of Film and Publications, was screened at the Darbar Hall.