Bangabandhu's 90th birth anniversary today

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BORGUNA: This pontoon, submerged long ago at Bogey launch ghat, is remaining as it is with no attempt on the part of authorities to salvage it. — Focus Bangla

The nation will observe the 90th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Children's Day today (Wednesday) with due respect and festivity, reports BSS.
On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu was born in Tungipara under Gopalganj district. Bangabandhu through his dynamic leadership organised the Bangalee nation to fight against oppression and repression by Pakistani rulers and achieve the independence of the country.
Under his charismatic leadership, Bangladesh was born as an independent country through the War of Liberation in 1971. But after only three and a half years, some derailed army personnel assassinated Bangabandhu along with most of his family members on August 15, 1975.
Bangabandhu became one of the front-ranking leaders among those who gave leadership to various struggles for freedom and emancipation of the toiling masses of the world in the contemporary history.
Bangabandhu was given the prestigious Julio Curie award for his outstanding contribution to world peace and democracy.
He became the target of conspiracies of the defeated forces of the War of Liberation and vested quarters when he had given a new call for achieving economic emancipation of the war-torn country.
The day is a public holiday.
Paying rich tributes to Bangabandhu, President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the occasion.
President Zillur Rahman will visit Tungipara, the birthplace of Bangabandhu, this morning and place wreaths at his grave there.
After returning from Tungipara, he will inaugurate the National Children's Day programme to be arranged by Bangabandhu Shishu Kishore Mela at Bangabhaban.
Bangladesh Awami League (AL) has drawn up countrywide elaborate programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner.
The programmes include hoisting of the national and party flags at Bangabandhu Bhaban in the city and Awami League offices across the country at 6:30am, placing of wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at 7:30am.
A central delegation of the party led by its President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths at Bangabandhu's Mazar at Tungipara.
Awami League will organise a discussion at the Institution of Engineers at 3:00pm. AL presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury will chair the discussion.
Besides playing of recorded historic March 7 speech of Bangabandhu throughout the day, special prayers and Milad Mahfil seeking peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and his other family members will be held across the country.
Different associate organisations of the party including Mohila Awami League, Awami Jubo League, Jubo Mohila League, Krishak League, Chhatra League, Shramik League, Swechchhasebak League, Joy Bangla Sangskritik Jote, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote and Swadhinata Chikitsak Parishad have also chalked out elaborate programmes on the occasion.
Besides, Bangabandhu Memorial Trust, Ghatak Nirmul Committee of '75, Bangabandhu Projanmo League, Muktijoddha Sangsad, Muktijoddha Sanghati Parishad, Bangabandhu Nagorik Sanghati Parishad, Mukijuddher Chetona Bastabayan Committee, Jatiyo Ganotantrik League, NAP (Bhashani) and different socio-cultural organisations will arrange various programmes.