Bangabandhu's anniversary of birth today

The 93rd birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children's Day will be observed today (Sunday) with due respect and festivity, reports UNB. The day is a public holiday. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujinur Rahman was born on March 17 in 1920 at Tungipara in Gopalganj district. Through his dynamic leadership, Bangabandhu organised the Bengali nation to fight against exploitation and repression by Pakistani rulers that culminated in independent Bangladesh through nine months of liberation war in 1971. On August 15, 1975, the great leader was assassinated, along with most members of his family, by some disgruntled army men. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will visit Tungipara today (Sunday) to pay homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman marking his 93rd birth anniversary. She will place wreath at the grave of Bangabandhu, offer fateha there and join a munajat. Besides, the ruling party Awami League, its different associated bodies, socio-cultural and political organisations and ministries chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day in a befitting manner across the country. The programmes also include hoisting of the national and party flags atop Bangabandhu Bhaban in the capital and AL offices across the country at the dawn, placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban. Noted political scientist Prof Harun-ur-Rashid will deliver speech at a programme at Rabindra Chattar of Bangla Academy and a cultural programme also be held at 4:00pm. Bangamata Parisahd will hold a discussion titled "Bangabandhu and Bangladesh" at National Press Club in the morning. President Zillur Rahman and the Prime Minister have issued separate messages marking the day. The President said: "It is our foremost duty to build our young generation with the noble spirit of patriotism so that they can lead the nation towards prosperity and materialise the cherished dream dreamt by Bangabandhu for building the country as 'Sonar-Bangla' (Golden Bengal)." He urged all to put their sincere endeavour to flourish the noble qualities and intrinsic values of our children from their very childhood so that they can love our country and people. "Let us inspire the young generation with the deep sense of patriotism, cherished by Bangabandhu throughout his life", he added. The Prime Minister said: "Bangladesh emerged as an independent country breaking the shackle of subjugation, and Bangali nationalism flourished under Bangabandhu's indomitable leadership. He was the leader of the oppressed and deprived masses of the world and an instrument of realizing their rights and emancipation." She urged the countrymen to take a fresh vow being imbued with the spirit of the liberation war to transform our beloved motherland into a safe abode of the children by building "Sonar Bangla" as dreamt by Bangabandhu.