Nation observes 47th death anniversary of Bangabandhu

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sprinkles flower petals on the graves of her family members at the capital’s Banani graveyard yesterday. She also offered prayers seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of August 15. Photo: BSS

National Mourning Day was observed across the country on August 15 by paying homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The government and various socio-cultural, political, social and professional organizations, including Awami League and its associated bodies, organized elaborate programmes to mark the 47th death anniversary.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid respect to the architect of Bangladesh’s independence by placing wreaths separately at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the capital’s Dhanmondi-32 in the morning.

The PM then visited the historic residence of the Father of the Nation on Dhanmondi-32, which witnessed a barbaric carnage on August 15, 1975.

From Dhanmondi, Hasina went to the Banani graveyard where her mother Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, brothers Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, and other martyrs of August 15 were laid to eternal rest.

The premier placed wreaths and spread flower petals on their graves. She also offered prayers seeking eternal peace of the departed souls.

Hasina later travelled to Tungipara, the ancestral home of Bangabandhu in Gopalganj, by an Air Force helicopter and placed wreaths at Bangabandhu’s grave twice as the head of the government and the president of Awami League.

After placing the wreaths, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark profound respect to the Father of the Nation.

A contingent of the armed forces performed a gun salute in memory of Bangabandhu, the greatest Bangalee of all time.
Leaders of different associated bodies of the Awami League also placed wreaths at the grave.
It was a public holiday yesterday.

On this day in 1975, the nation’s founding father along with most of his family members and relatives were assassinated by a cabal of military men.
Meanwhile, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the prime minister was working hard to fulfill the dreams of the Father of the Nation.

The minister was speaking to journalists after paying homage to the martyrs of August 15 at the Banani graveyard in the capital.

Visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet paid respect to the Father of the Nation at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.
The UN rights chief placed a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu and signed the visitors’ book there. She also visited the museum and was briefed by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam.

Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique and several other distinguished personalities paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu.

They placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.

On behalf of the Speaker, Parliament Secretariat’s sergeant-at-arms placed a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu.
Different organizations, including the AL, organized Quran Khawni, Kangali Bhoj (distribution of cooked food among disadvantaged people), and doa mahfil at different wards in the capital.

Bangabandhu’s historic March 7 speech and patriotic songs were played over loudspeakers at different parts of the city.

Bangladesh missions abroad also observed the day.