Nation observing mourning day

Gopalganj, Aug 15 (bdnews24.com) — Prime minister Sheikh Hasina laid wreathes on the grave of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's grave at Tungipara, Gopalganj at 10am on Sunday as the nation observed National Mourning Day on the 35th death anniversary of the independence leader.

A skilled team of three armed forces gave the Guard of Honour to the architect of Bangladesh's independence. Chiefs of the three armed forces, Hasina's younger sister Rehana and the cabinet members were also present at the occasion.

It is a government holiday with the national flag flying half-mast at official buildings and the Bangladesh missions abroad.

The prime minister, then distributed sewing machines and certificates among trained destitute women. Gopalganj District Association had initiated the training programme.

Hasina, addressing the women present there, saying, "The father of the national wanted to change the people's lot. We are working for that.

"He gave away his life for the economic emancipation of poor and destitute. Bangabandhu wanted the women to be self-dependent," she added.

Programmes to mark the day started by paying tribute to Mujib's mural in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at road 32, Dhanmondi early in the morning.

The president and the prime minister laid wreathes on the mural and the armed forces gsve a Guard of Honour

After that, Hasina also laid floral wreathes on the graves of other victims of the day at Banani graveyard.

Awami League is observing the day by flying the national flag half-mast and hoisting black flag in every party office across the country early in the morning, and is holding day-long programmes to observe the day.

The party paid respect at Bangabandhu Bhaban at 7am, Banani graveyard at 7:30am, and Doa Mahfil took place at Bangabandhu Bhaban at 11 am.

Prayers in the temples, pagoda and churches will also be held to mark the day.

A discussion meeting, involving all representing all religions, took placeat the National Press Club at 10:30am and there was another discussion meeting at Dhaka University Teacher Student Centre auditorium at 10am.

Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar will broadcast special programmes on the day. The national dailies will publish special supplements.

This year the day is being observed in a different context as five murderers of Mujib were hanged on Jan 28 following their convictions and decisions of the Supreme Court.

Six other former army officials convicted in their absence are still on the run and one other died abroad.

August 15 day was observed for the first time at state-level after the Awami League formed its government in 1996.

The caretaker government in 2001 also observed the day.

But BNP-led four party alliance government cancelled the decision of celebrating the day at state-level.

It was restored as National Mourning Day in 2008 following a High Court order after a gap of six-years under the BNP-led government.

MUJIB'S LIFE

Mujib was born on Mar 17, 1920 at Tungipara in Gopalganj.

He came to limelight with the formation of Purba Pakistan Chhatra League following the end of British rule in the Indian sub-continent.

Mujib continued to rise in national politics because of his active involvement in the language movement in 1952, 1954 general elections, and six-point declaration in 1966. His arrest in the Agarata conspiracy case catapulted him into the national limelight, making him the undisputed leader of the Bengali's freedom struggle against Pakistani exploitation.

He was given the title of 'Bangabandhu' - friend of the Bengal- after he was freed from jail in 1969.

On Mar 7, 1971 Mujib delivered the historical speech at Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan), which inspired the countrymen to join the war of independence.

A handful of renegade army officials on Aug 15, 1975 killed Mujib along with his wife Begum Fazilatunnesa, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russel, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal Khuki and Parveen Jamal Rosy, Mujib's younger brother Sheikh Abu Naser, nephew Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni, Moni's pregnant wife Begum Arju Moni, Mujib's brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, Serniabat's daughter, son, nephew and grandson, Mujib's security chief Col Jamiluddin Ahmed, three guests and four domestic workers.

Mujib's daughter prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, were in Europe and thus escaped the massacre on that fateful night.

SATURDAY'S MESSAGES FROM PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER

President Zillur Rahman, in a message on Saturday, called on the nation to work together for the success of the government's Charter for Change, in which, he said, Sheikh Mujib's dreams lay for the nation.

"Sheikh Mujib dreamt a dream of a 'Golden Bangladesh'. The spirit of Mujib will rest in peace if his dreams come true. We have the duty to fulfil the dreams, "said Zillur.

The president also said, "The nation is free from disgrace as some of the murderers have been punished. We have to try our best to punish those hiding overseas."

In another message Sheikh Hasina echoed the president's sentiment, saying, "We have taken steps to bring back the fugitives."

"Murderers killed Sheikh Mujib. But they couldn't kill his dreams. We have to make 'Sonar Bangla' of Mujib free from poverty, illiteracy and hunger," said Hasina.

The prime minister urged the people to be aware of those who tried to thwart war crimes trial and actions against corruption through conspiracy and anarchy.

She also said, "Steps have been taken for quick trial of the killing of four national leaders."