Nation celebrates Bangabandhu’s 101st birth anniversary

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DHAKA, March 17, 2021 (BSS) – The nation celebrated the 101st birth
anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the
National Children’s Day-2021 in a befitting manner today.

On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of the Bengali
nation, the architect of independent Bangladesh and the greatest Bengale of
all times, was born in a respected Muslim family at Tungipara village of the
then Gopalganj sub-division, now district.

He was the third among six offspring — two sons and four daughters — of
his parents- Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and Sheikh Sayera Khatun.

In celebration of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages paying profound respects to the
memories of Bangabandhu and greeting the children.

The president and the prime minister paid homage by placing wreaths at the
portrait of Bangabandhu in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at
Dhanmondi 32 in capital this morning.

Sheikh Rehana, younger daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman, was also present at the time.

Later, Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Chief
Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain paid homage to the portrait of Father of the
Nation by placing wreaths.

On behalf of Awami League (AL), Awami League General Secretary and Road
Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader paid homage to Bangabandhu.

Awami League Presidium Members – Begum Matia Chowdhury and Dr Abdur
Razzak, Joint-General Secretaries Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif and Information and
Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and Organizing Secretaries Ahmed
Hossain and Afzal Hossain, among others, were present.

After the President and Prime Minister left Bangabandhu Bhaban area,
different associate bodies of Awami League, including Dhaka North and South
city units of AL, Awami Jubo League, Awami Swechchhasebak League, Bangladesh
Krishak League, Mohila Awami League, Jubo Mohila League, Chhatra League,
Sramik League, Tanti League and Matsyajibi League paid homage at the portrait
of Father of the Nation.

On behalf of the president and the prime minister, wreaths were placed at
the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj in the morning.

The theme of this year’s birthday of Bangabandhu and National Children’s
Day is “Bangabandhur Janmadin, Shishur Ridoy Hok Rangin”.

Special programmes were chalked out on the premises of Bangabandhu’s
mausoleum in Tungipara.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina virtually joined the programme from her
official Ganabhaban residence.

State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira
joined it as the special guest.

Different competitions for children and cultural function were held there.

Fazilatun Nessa Indira on behalf of the prime minister handed over awards
among winners.

Discussion, drawing and essay competitions, cultural functions were held at
district and upazila levels and different educational institutions.

The day is a public holiday.

National dailies published special supplements while Bangabandhu’s historic
March 7 speech was played and documentaries on Bangabandhu’s life and works
and Liberation War will be screened throughout the week at upazila levels.

Key streets and important establishments were also illuminated.

Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and other private TV channels and
radio stations aired special programmes highlighting the significance of the
day.

Special discussions were arranged on children’s health awareness,
nutrition and foods.

The ruling Awami League (AL) drew up elaborate programmes to celebrate the
day.

The programmes included hoisting of the national and party flags atop all
AL offices across the country including Bangabandhu Bhaban and AL’s
Bangabandhu Avenue central office in morning on March 17 and placing of
wreaths at Bangabandhu’s portrait.

A delegation of the party’s central working committee paid homage to
Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his mausoleum at Tungipara in Gopalganj and
join a doa mahfil there.

AL Presidium Members Lieutenant Colonel (retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan,
Shajahan Khan and Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin
Nasim, Organizing Secretary SM Kamal Hossain, Labor and Manpower Affairs
Secretary Habibur Rahman Siraj, Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan, Central
Working Committee Members Anisur Rahman, Sahabuddin Faraji and Syed Abdul
Awal Shamim joined the programmes at Tungipara.

The leaders of AL also joined the programme of National Implementation
Committee for Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Birth
Centenary at the National Parade Square.

Doa mahfil (special prayers) were arranged at the mosques across the
country including Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Johr prayers.

Christian community members arranged special prayers at Tejgaon Church at
8am and Mirpur Baptist Church (3/7-a Senpara Parbata, Mirpur-10) at 9am,
Buddhist community members offered prayers at International Buddhist
Monastery at Merul Badda at 10am and Hindu community members arranged prayers
at Dhakeshwari National Temple at 11.30am.