The historic Mujibnagar Day today, Monday, April 17. On this day, 53 years ago in 1971, the leaders of the nation formed a provisional government of independent Bangladesh and took oath while the War of Liberation was on.
This day is also observed as the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s first government.
The government of Bangladesh and the nation as well is set to observe the day marking the historic day with a befitting manner and various programmes.
Following the Pakistan army's genocide on unarmed Bangalees on the black night of March 25 in 1971, senior leaders of Awami League assembled at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur on April 17 to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh.
Baidyanathtala, mainly a mango orchard, was later named Mujibnagar after ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared the first President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, while Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed as the acting President in absence of Bangabandhu.
Tajuddin Ahmed was appointed as the first Prime Minister, while Khondoker Moshtaque Ahmed, Capt. M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamaruzzaman were named as cabinet members.
The interim government named General MAG Osmani as commander-in-chief of Mukti Bahini while appointed Major General Abdur Rob as chief of staff.
The provisional government gave successful leadership to the War of Liberation for achieving victory on December 16.
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday urged the countrymen to work together for building a non-communal, hunger- and- poverty-free, developed and prosperous 'Sonar Bangla' cum 'Smart Bangladesh' as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
They made the call in separate messages on the eve of the historic Mujibnagar Day.
Meanwhile, The Ministry of Liberation War Affairs has taken elaborate programme to observe the historic Mujibnagar Day in a befitting manner.
As per the ministry programmes, the day will begin with the hoisting of national flag at 6:00am at the Liberation War Memorial Centre at Mujibnagar in Meherpur district.
Later, wreaths will be laid at the Liberation War Memorial Centre. Guards of Honor will be presented and colourful parade will also be held at Mujibnagar Amrakanan by veteran freedom fighters, police, BGB, Ansar and VDP, BNCC, scouts, Girls Guides and school-college students.
Musical drama 'Jal Mati O Manush' will be screened in Mujibnagar at 10 am on this day. A discussion will be held at 10:45 am at Sheikh Hasina Mancha in Mujibnagar highlighting the significance of this day.
On the occasion, today is a public holiday in Mujibnagar upazila of Meherpur district. Newspapers published special supplements while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and private TV channels are airing different programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
Important installations and buildings in the capital and Mujibnagar have been illuminated and the road islands have been decorated with national flags.
Seminars and prayers are being organised in different educational institutions. Similar programmes are being held at district and upazila levels and also at Bangladesh embassies abroad highlighting the significance of the day.
Bangladesh missions abroad have taken similar programmes highlighting the importance of Mujibnagar Day.
Besides, the ruling Awami League and its associate bodies have also taken elaborated programmes to observe the historic Mujibnagar Day amid due enthusiasm and importance.
Tribute will be paid at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban premises around 7am.
At Mujibnagar, national and party flags will be hoisted around 6:00am, tribute will be paid at the mausoleum at 10am, a guard of honour will be held at 10.15am and public rally marking the Mujibnagar day will be held at Sheikh Hasina Manch at 11am.
Awami League Presidium Member Quazi Jafar Ullah will attend the function as the chief guest.
Awami League Presidium Member AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif, Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq, also spoke at the function as the special guests.
The function will be chaired by Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim. AL Organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Huq will moderate the function.
Awami League Central Executive Council Members Amirul Alam Milon, Parvin Zaman Kalpana, Advocate Gloria Sarker Jharna and Nirmol Kumar Chatterge, Meherpur district Awami League President Farhad Hossain, its General Secretary MA Khaleque will also attend the function as the special speaker.