The Bangalee nation celebrated the 103rd anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children's Day-2023 on Friday in a befitting manner at home and elsewhere in the globe.
On the day, March 17 in 1920, Bangabandhu, the vivacious leader of the Bangalee nation, the architect of independent Bangladesh and the greatest Bangalee of all times, was born in a respected Muslim family at Tungipara village of Gopalganj sub-division, now district.
He was the third among four daughters and two sons of his parents - Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and Saira Khatun.
The nation celebrated the day through extensive programmes with fanfare and gaiety. Bangladesh missions abroad also celebrated the day with elaborate programmes.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages Thursday afternoon on the eve of the day.
On the occasion of the 103 birthday and the National Children’s Day-23, yesterday (Friday) was also a public holiday.
National flags remained hoisted at all the government, seme-government, non-government and private offices on Friday to mark the day.
The Government of Bangladesh, ruling Bangladesh Awami League, all of its affiliated organisations and associated bodies and different social and cultural organisations also organised elaborate programmes marking the day.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and other private TV channels and radio stations aired special programmes highlighting the significance of the day in the life of Bangalees.
In the morning on Friday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is the president of ruling Awami League and also the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, paid tributes to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi- 32 in the capital.
AL also paid tributes to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait.
Later, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his mausoleum at Tungipara in Gopalganj.
The family members of Bangabandhu and leaders and activists of the Awami League also paid tributes to Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi and Tungipara.
Discussion meetings, art exhibitions, children’s fair, folk fairs and various other cultural functions organised by the Awami League, its affiliated and associated bodies and various other organisations were also held in capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.
Doa mahfils were held at the mosques across the country including Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Zohr prayers.
Besides, special prayers were offered at all religious institutions including temples, churches and pagodas on the occasion.
Christian community members arranged special prayers at Tejgaon Church and Mirpur Baptist Church (3/7-A Senpara Parbata, Mirpur-10), Buddhist community members held prayers at International Buddhist Monastery at Merul Badda and Hindu community members arranged prayers at Dhakeshwari National Temple on Friday.
Besides, Bangladesh’s missions abroad also observed the day through various social and cultural programmes.