Rich tributes paid to Bangabandhu

The grateful nation paid rich tributes to architect of Bangladesh's independence and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Friday by observing the National Mourning Day marking his 39th anniversary of martyrdom, reports UNB.

Millions of mourners with heavy hearts observed the day across the country and missions abroad with due solemnity and a fresh vigour to materialise his dream of turning the country into 'Sonar Bangla'.

On this day in 1975, Bangabandhu and most of his family members were killed in his Dhanmondi house by a cabal of army as part of a long-running conspiracy by the anti-liberation forces. Only his two daughters --Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana --escaped the gruesome murder as they were in Germany at that time.

The day is observed as the National Mourning Day and it is a public holiday.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led the nation to pay homage to Sheikh Mujibur Rahmana by placing wreaths at his portrait at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi road No. 32 in the capital around 6:32am.

After the placing of the wreaths, a smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute as bugle played the last post.

The President and the Prime Minister, also elder daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, stood in solemn silence in front of the portrait for some time.

Later, a munajat was offered seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of Bangabandhu and the martyrs of August 15.

Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, cabinet members, PM's advisers, parliament members, cabinet secretary, the chiefs of the three services, senior leaders of Awami League (AL) and 14-party combine and senior government officials were present on the occasion.

Later, flanked by senior leaders of AL, Sheikh Hasina as the party president placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu.

AL leaders, including Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sen

Gupta, Abdul Latif Siddique, Begum Matia Chowdhury, Obaidul Qader,

General Secretary of the party Syed Ashraful Islam, advocate Shahara

Khatun and Engineer Mosharraf Hossain were present.

Later, Sheikh Hasina visited the city's Banani Graveyard and paid homage to her family members who were martyred with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975.

Hasina arrived at the graveyard at 7:30am, placed wreaths first as the Prime Minister and then as Awami League President.

Prime Minister's mother Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib, her brothers Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell and other martyrs were buried at the Banani Graveyard.

With tears in her eyes, Sheikh Hasina stood there for some time and showered petals on the graves of her near and dear ones as well as Bangabandhu's Military Secretary Colonel Jamil who were also killed on the black night of August 15.

The whole premises of Dhanmandi 32 turned into a human sea as thousands of people who gathered there wearing black badges and holding black banners to mourn for Bangabandhu.

They also visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi and placed wreaths at the portrait of the slain leader and offered fateha.

Leaders of different political parties and social, cultural and professional bodies and institutions also thronged Bangabandhu Bhaban, where the military putsch had taken place on August 15, 1975, to pay their respects to the great leader. Wreaths were also placed and fateha offered at the mazar of Bangabandhu at Tungipara to pay rich tributes to the country's independence leader.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also placed wreaths at the mazar of Bangabandhu.

After laying wreaths at the mazar, the Prime Minister stood there in solemn silence for some time as a mark of respect for the memory of the great leader.