Govt chalks out programmes to observe Nat'l Mourning Day at state level

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The government has chalked out nationwide programme to observe the National Mourning Day at the state level on August 15 marking the 34th anniversary of the death of Father of the Nation and the country's first President Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, reports UNB.
The day is a public holiday. According to the government programme the national flag will be hoisted at half-mast in government, semi-government and autonomous office buildings, educational institutions and private buildings.
The national flag will be also hoisted at half-mast in Bangladeshi missions abroad and discussions will be held on life and works of the slain leader.
President M Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation at Dhanmondi Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the morning.
The Prime Minister will visit Tungipara to offer prayers and place wreaths on his grave while a voluntary blood donation programme and Milad will be held at 2:30 pm at graveside.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib was assassinated at his historic Dhanmondi house in a military putsch on August 15, 1975. All but two of his family members Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana- were killed in the worst massacre of the world history.
On the assumption of office 21 years after Mujib's killing, the Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina on August 8, 1996 declared August 15 as National Mourning Day and a public holiday.
The day had accordingly been observed until the BNP-led alliance government of Khaleda Zia scrapped the Awami League government's decision on August 2, 2002.
Special prayers will be held all mosques, mandirs, churches and other places of worship.
Political parties, socio-cultural organisations and professional bodies will place wreaths at Bangabandhu's portrait at Bangbandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi at 8:00 am.