Different political and sociocultural organisations across the country and Bangladesh foreign missions abroad observed the historic Homecoming Day of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a befitting manner on Sunday.
This year's observation of Bangabandhu’s Homecoming Day is significant as the nation is celebrating the great leader’s birth centenary through programmes scheduled till March 17, 2021. The government has already declared it ‘Mujib Year’ or ‘Mujib Borsho’.
Besides, 2021 marks the golden jubilee of the country’s independence, to be celebrated on March 26.
On January 10, 2020 the countdown to the birth centenary celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman began through a gala opening ceremony.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangabandhu's daughter, formally inaugurated the nationwide countdown ceremony at the National Parade Square, where her father had landed in the newly liberated and sovereign Bangladesh on January 10, 1972 on a British Airways flight (he was taken to London first).
Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the unveiling of the “Logo” of Mujib Borsho.
Through observing Bangabandhu’s birth centenary, the government has been aiming to present the life and works of Bangabandhu before the people, especially the new generation.
The ruling Awami League, its associate and front organisations and various socio-political organisations have drawn up elaborate programmes to mark the day.
Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion this year.
In his message the President Abdul Hamid said “Today is the historic 10 January, the Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. On this day in 1972, Father of the Nation returned to independent and sovereign Bangladesh after 9 months and 14 days of imprisonment in Pakistan jail.
On this memorable day, I pay my profound homage to Father of the Nation and pray for the salvation of the departed soul. Though we achieved ultimate victory on 16 December in 1971 through armed struggle but the true essence of victory came into being upon returning home of the Father of the Nation.
The contribution of Father of the Nation to the history of struggle for our independence is unparalleled," Hamid said.
In her message, the Prime Minister said, “The legendary comet in the history of Bengali liberation struggle, the greatest Bangali of all times, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman returned home on this day in 1972 after being freed from captivity in Pakistan’s Prison.
Local units of Awami League and it’s front organisations across the country observed the historic day with various programmes maintaining health rules.
In Rajshahi, marking the day, the leaders and workers of the party hoisted national and party flags atop party offices and garlanded the portraits of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and four other national leaders.
They brought out a procession that paraded through different city streets and ended on the party office’s premises at Kumarpara.
A discussion was also held highlighting the life and works of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Similarly, the district unit of the party and city unit of Bangabandhu Parishad also observed the day through separate programmes.
Rajshahi Medical University observed the day at its temporary campus in the city.
Rajshahi College unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League also brought out a procession in the city, marking the historic day.
The Homecoming Day was also observed at Rajshahi University (RU) through various programmes.
Floral wreaths were placed on the central Shaheed Minar on the day.
RU authority launched the ‘Office of the International Affairs” at its administration building aimed at infusing dynamism into the external affairs activities.
Besides, RU unit of Bangabandhu Parishad and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall observed the day.
In Khulna, the historic homecoming day was observed.
Khulna city and district units of Awami League and its associate organizations observed the day with different programmes.
They held a discussion meeting highlighting the life and works of Bangabandhu along with his contribution to the nation’s War of Liberation.
A Milad and doa mahfil was also held at the party office seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members killed on August 15, 1975.
Khulna University (KU), Khulna University of Engineering Technology (KUET) and others educational institution organized different programmes to mark the day.
KUET organized a virtual seminar at its auditorium.
Meanwhile, Khulna Press Club (KPC) organized a discussion meeting on its premises to mark the day.
Earlier, KPC leaders laid wreaths at Bangabandhu sculpture on the Khulna Press Club premises.
Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ) also observed identical programme.
In Chattogram, local unit of Awami League and it’s front organisations observed the historic day.
Marking the day, Chattogram city, south and north district units of AL
hoisted national and party flags atop party offices, placed wreaths at
Bangabandhu’s portraits at the party offices.
Besides, colourful processions were brought out and discussions were
arranged highlighting the life and works of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman.
The city AL leaders organized a discussion meeting at Theatre Institute
hall.
Meanwhile different units of Bangladesh Chhatra League brought out several
processions in different areas of the city to mark the day. Chattogram north
and south district Awami League also organized separate discussion meetings
at their respective party offices in the city this afternoon.
Chattogram North district AL leaders also placed wreaths at the portrait
of Father of the Nation at their respective party offices.
Besides, Chattogram south district AL leaders placed wreaths at
Bangabandhu portrait at its Andarkillah Party office.
Chattogram Press Club and Chattogram Union of Journalists placed wreaths
at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in
front of Chattogram Press club premises on the occasion.
Bangladesh Chhatra League Chattogram University unit, BCL Chattogram
University of Engineering and Technology unit, Chattogram Veterinary and
Animal Sciences University (CVASU),
Premier University, Chattogram College Chattogram, Hazi Mohammad Mohsin
College also placed wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the respective institutions.
In Khulna, city and district units of Awami League and its associate organizations observed the day with different programmes.
Khulna University (KU), Khulna University of Engineering Technology (KUET) and others educational institution organized different programmes to mark the day.
Meanwhile, Khulna Press Club (KPC) organized a discussion meeting on its premises to mark the day.
Earlier, KPC leaders laid wreaths at Bangabandhu sculpture on the Khulna Press Club premises.
Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ) also observed identical programme as its president Mahbub Alam Sohag chaired a discussion.
In India, Bangladesh High Commission paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to mark the great leader’s triumphant return to independent Bangladesh from Pakistani jail.
