PM's 73rd birthday celebrated

The 73rd birthday of Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina, also president of ruling Bangladesh Awami League, was celebrated with a festive mood across the country on Saturday, reports UNB.

AL and its associate bodies and other organisations observed the day with various programmes, including discussions, colourful rallies, processions and photo exhibitions in the capital and elsewhere in the country.

To mark the day, different thoroughfares and intersections of the capital were adorned with colourful placards, festoons and banners depicting the works and successes of the PM.

Like the previous years, the birthday was celebrated in the absence of PM Sheikh Hasina as she is staying in the United States to join the United Nations General Assembly.

As a part of the AL central programmes, a discussion was held at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in the city with AL Presidium Member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury in the chair.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Qauder also spoke at the event.

Besides, AL sub-committee on relief and social welfare arranged another discussion at the seminar room of Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of ruling AL, brought out a colourful rally from Modhur Canteen of the Dhaka University and paraded through the university campus.

The Cultural Affairs Ministry and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy jointly organised a month-long exhibition marking the PM's birthday.

The exhibition titled 'Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh-er Shopnosharathi' is being held at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

The exhibition, featuring photographs, paintings and installations over her life and works, portray the journey, struggles and political career of the PM.

A total of 231 photographs and 133 paintings are being displayed at galleries 1, 2 and 6, which will continue until October 26.

Of the paintings, some 100 artworks were painted at an art-camp organised by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy a few months ago.

Artists, including Abdul Rab Khan, Titas Chakma, Jayant Sarkar Jan, Syeda Tamanna Afroz, Shivali Howlader, Shrikant Roy Subir, Surbhi Akhter and Shuvra Talukder, among others, participated in the camp.

A poet festival titled 'Poet Festival of Peace and Harmony' was held at Begum Sufia Kamal Hall of Bangladesh National Museum.

The chief coordinator of national implementation committee for birth centenary celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman spoke on the occasion as the chief guest.

Besides, Milad and Doa Mahfils were held, and special prayers were offered at mosques, churches and temples across the country.

A Milad and Doa Mahfil was held at Ganobhaban, the official residence of the PM. Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman, Saifuzzaman Shikhor, MP, and AL leaders were present. A Milad and Mahfil was also held at the Parliament Members Club in the afternoon marking the birthday of the PM.

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah, Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury, whips and MPs joined the event arranged by the Parliament Members Club.

Sheikh Hasina, the eldest of the five children of Bangabandhu, was born on September 28, 1947 at Tungipara in Gopalganj.

She graduated from the Dhaka University in 1973.

She has a checkered political career. She was elected vice-president of the Students Union of the Government Intermediate Girl's College when she contested as a candidate from Students League.

Later, she served as secretary and then as president of college unit of Students League.

She was also a member of Students League in Dhaka University and became the secretary of Ruqayyah Hall unit. She actively participated in all mass movements in her student days.

The Father of the Nation, along with members of his family, was brutally assassinated on the fateful night of August 15, 1975.

Sheikh Hasina and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana were the only survivors as they were in West Germany at that time.

Sheikh Hasina was unanimously elected president of Bangladesh Awami League in 1981 while she was in forced exile. She returned home on May 17, 1981 ending her six years in exile.

Sheikh Hasina played a crucial role in establishing democracy in the country when she won from three constituencies in the parliamentary election in 1986 and was elected leader of the opposition.

She led the historic mass movement in 1990 that toppled the regime of HM Ershad.

She became prime minister for the first time on June 23, 1996 when the Awami League acquired majority in the general election held on June 12, 1996.

Sheikh Hasina assumed the office as the Prime Minister on Jan 7, 2019 for the fourth time after Awami League-led grand alliance won the 11th Parliamentary election.