The grateful nation is set to observe the National Mourning Day today (Thursday) with paying deep homage to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman commemorating his 44th anniversary of martyrdom.
On the dreadful and fateful night of August 15 in 1975, Bangabandhu, architect of the country’s independence, was assassinated, along with most of his family members, by some disgruntled army officers at his Dhanmondi Road-32 residence in the capital.
But Bangabandhu’s two daughters -- Sheikh Hasina, now the prime minister, and Sheikh Rehana - luckily escaped the massacre as they were abroad at the time.
However, eighteen members of the family along with Bangabandhu’s wife, Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, three sons Captain Sheikh Kamal, Lt Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, two daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, brother Sheikh Naser, peasant leader Abdur Rob Serniabat, youth leader Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni and his wife Arzu Moni, Baby Serniabat, Sukanta Babu, Arif and Abdul Nayeem Khan Rintu were killed on the fateful night.
Besides, Bangabandhu’s military secretary Colonel Jamil was also killed.
The history’s heinous crackdown was launched under a deep-rooted conspiracy hatched at home and abroad against the country and its independence.
The people lost their beloved leader Bangabandhu, the greatest Bangalee of all time, who had a dream to build his country a hunger-and-poverty-free Sonar Bangla.
On the occasion of his martyrdom anniversary on August 15, every year people from all walks of life gather in their respective areas to grieve together for Bangabandhu
Their respective areas also ring to the sound of thousands of voices in unison, singing and praising the memory of the Father of the Nation.
The Bengali nation still sings in tears --Jodi Raat Pohale Shona Jeto Bangabandhu More Nai, Jodi rajpothe abar michil hoto, Bangabandhur mukti chai. Tobe biswa peto ek mohan neta, amra petam phirey jatir pita.
In observance of the day, the government, different socio-cultural, political and professional organisations, including the ruling Awami League and its associate bodies, have taken up various programmes in tribute to Bangabandhu.
To commemorate the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu’s 44th anniversary of martyrdom, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will visit Tungipara in Gopalganj today to pay rich tribute to Bangabandhu and join other programmes there.
Since the mayhem, Awami League, its associate bodies and other like-minded pro-liberation, democratic and progressive political parties, social, cultural and professional organisations have been observing the day as the National Mourning Day.
BSS adds: The ruling Awami League has chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the 44th martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu today.
As part of the programmes, the national and party flags will fly half-mast atop all the offices of Awami League and Bangabandhu Bhaban on the day.
In the morning, the party leaders will place wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Museum in the capital city at 6.30 am.
Later, the party leaders will place wreaths and offer fateha at the Banani Graveyard for the family members of the Father of the Nation and others, who embraced martyrdom with Bangabandhu on August 15, 1975.
A delegation of the Awami League central executive committee including AL Presidium Members Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Kazi Zafar Ullah and Muhammad Faruk Khan, executive member Abul Hasnat Abdullhah, joint general secretaries Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman, agriculture and cooperative secretary Faridunnahar Laily and information and research secretary Advocate Afzal Hossain, among others, will join the programmes in Tungipara on August 15.
The programmes include placing of wreaths at the shrine of Bangabandhu and offering fateha there.
Doa and Milad will be held at all mosques of the country after Zohr prayers, while special prayers will be held at temples, pagodas and churches marking the occasion.
The ruling party leaders will distribute food among the poor, distressed and orphans in the afternoon.
Besides, Mohila Awami League will organize a milad and doa mahfil in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban after Asr prayers.
On August 16, a discussion meeting will be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center at 4pm. AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will chair the meeting.
AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has urged the leaders and activists of the party and its associate bodies to observe the day with due respect.