Staff Reporter
The 90th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be observed today with due solemnity.
The day will also be observed as the National Children's Day.
On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu was born in Tungipara under Gopalganj district and under his charismatic leadership, Bangladesh was born as an independent country through the War of Liberation in 1971.
But after only three and a half years, Bangabandhu was assassinated along with most of his family members on August 15, 1975, by some derailed army personnel.
Bangabandhu was given the prestigious Julio Curie award for his outstanding contribution to world peace and democracy. The day is a public holiday.
President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages paying rich tributes to Bangabandhu.In the morning, President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place a floral wreath at the Bangabandhu's Mazaar in Tungipara, Gopalganj.
After returning from Tungipara, the President will inaugurate the National Children's Day programme to be arranged by Bangabandhu Shishu Kishore Mela at Bangabhaban.
Various cultural and discussion programmes have been chalked out across the country to mark the occasion. Bangladesh Awami League has drawn up countrywide programmes to observe the day in a befiting manner.
The programmes include hoisting of the national and party flags at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the city and Awami League offices across the country at 6.30 am, placing of floral wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at 7.30 am.
Special prayers and Milad Mahfil seeking peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and his other family members will be held.
Awami League will organise a discussion at the Institution of Engineers at 3 pm. AL Presidium Member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury will chair the discussion.
Different associate organisations of the party including Mohila Awami League, Awami Jubo League, Jubo Mohila League, Krishak League, Chhatra League, Shramik League, Sechchhasebak League, Joy Bangla Sangskritik Jote, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote and Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad have also chalked out elaborate programmes on the occasion.
Potua Quamrul Hasan Art School has arranged a painting competition for children at Shaukat Osman Memorial Hall of the Central Public Library. Cover of a book titled "Bangabandhu : the Image of the Homeland," authored by Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman, will be unfolded at the prize giving ceremony of the art competition.
A four-day "Sajeeb Children's Festival" will be inaugurated at Kalabagan ground of the city marking the day. Besides, Bangabandhu Memorial Trust, Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Commitee of '75, Bangabandhu Projanmo League, Muktijoddha Sangsad, Muktijoddha Sanghati Parishad, Bangabandhu Nagorik Sanghati Parishad, Mukijuddher Chetona Bastabayan Commitee, Jatiyo Ganotantrik League, NAP (Bhashani) and different socio-cultural organisations will arrange various programmes.
Shishu Academy, Bangla Academy, Education Ministry, Institute of Public Health and Nutrition will hold various programmes on the occasion.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private television channels and radio stations will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day. National dailies will publish special supplements on the occasion.
The New Nation
