Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 100th birthday

17th March 1920, Bangabandhu, the vivacious leader was born in a Muslim family

The country is celebrating the 100th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children’s Day-2019 today in a befitting manner.

On this day 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 a district.

He was the third among four daughters and two sons of his parents – Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and Saira Khatun.

The nation is celebrating the day through extensive programmes with fanfare and exuberance. Bangladesh missions abroad have also chalked out elaborate programmes to celebrate the day.

The theme of this year’s birthday of Bangabandhu and National Children’s Day is “Bangabandhu’s birthday, rinse life of the children with colour”.

PRESIDENT, PM PAY HOMAGE

In observance of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid their homage by placing wreaths at the mazar (mausoleum) of Bangabandhu in Gopalganj’s Tungipara.

President Abdul Hamid first laid a wreath at the mazar (mausoleum) of Bangabandhu followed by the Prime Minister.

After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Father of the Nation as the bugle played the last post.

They offered fateha and munajat seeking eternal peace and blessings of the departed soul.

Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at the historic 32 Dhanmondi Road in Dhaka heralding the nationwide programmes.

Both the President and the Prime Minister also greeted all children in Bangladesh and other parts of the world.

ARRAY OF PROGRAMMES

The government has taken decision to observe 100 birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as Mujib Year from March 17, 2020 to March 17, 2021.

Like previous years, elaborate programmes have also been taken to celebrate the day at Tungipara.

The day is a public holiday.

As per the schedule, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will receive a replica of the logo of Branding of Gopalganj District at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj from 10am to 12.10pm.

Besides, she will join a book unveiling ceremony, sewing machine distribution ceremony, video screening on ‘Amar Kotha Shono’, discussion meeting on National Children’s Day and deliver speech as the chief guest.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate a book fair, join a photo session with children and also visit painting exhibition on ‘Bangabandhu and Bangladesh’.

Apart from this, public hospitals, clinics and healthcare services organizations would provide free of cost treatment at outdoor from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm on the day. Quality foods will be supplied to all hospitals. Illumination will be ensured at the child wards.

Bangladesh Awami League will hold a discussion meeting at 3pm on March 18 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will chair the discussion.

The Information Ministry published special supplements in newspapers.