Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has paid homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, commemorating his historic March 7 speech, which was touted as an indirect declaration of the country’s independence in 1971.
She paid tributes to the father of the nation by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the city this morning (Saturday).
After laying the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for sometime as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of the independence.
Flanked by central leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Bangladesh Awami League (AL), placed another wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation on behalf of her party.
AL Advisory Council member Amir Hossain Amu, Presidium members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Advocate Sahara Khatun, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Faruk Khan, Dr Md Abdur Razzaque, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Shahjahan Khan, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, joint general secretaries Mahbubul Alam Hanif, education minister Dr Dipu Moni and information minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, organizing secretaries Ahmed Hossain, Mirza Azam and Afjal Hossain and cultural affairs secretary Asim Kumar Ukil were present on the occasion, among others, BSS reported.
Later, the leaders and workers of Awami League’s associate bodies, including Awami Jubo League, Chhatra League, Mahila Awami League, Sramik League, Krishak League, Jubo Mohila League and Swechchhasebok League, also paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait on the occasion.
Besides, Bangabandhu Parishad, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Muktijoddha Kendrio Command Council, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Bangladesh Tanti League, Bangabandhu Soinik League, Sheikh Russel Shishu Sangha, Awami Sangskritik Forum, Dhaka Bar Association and Muktijoddha Sanghati Parishad also paid homage to Bangabandhu.
Different socio-cultural and political organisations, student and professional bodies chalked out elaborate programmes including laying wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu and holding discussions and rallies to mark the day.
The AL hoisted national and party flags atop the Bangabandhu Bhaban and party offices on the occasion.
A discussion will be arranged at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) auditorium at 3.30pm.
Sheikh Hasina will chair the discussion while party leaders and distinguished personalities will address it.
The ruling party and its associated bodies also arranged rallies highlighting the significance of the day in all wards, unions, pourasabhas, upazilas and districts as the Bangabandhu’s March 7 speech is being played with loud speaker.
The Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations are broadcasting special programmes while national dailies brought out special supplements marking the auspicious occasion.
The landmark speech inspired the Bangalees to prepare for a war of independence.
The Liberation War began 18 days later, when the Pakistan Army launched “Operation Searchlight” against unarmed Bangalee civilians, intellectuals, students, politicians, and armed personnel.
On October 30 in 2017, the UNESCO recognised the historic speech as a part of the world’s documentary heritage.
It has been included in the Memory of the World International Register, a list of world’s important documentary heritage maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).