Nation pays homage to Bangabandhu

The nation observed the National Mourning Day on Tuesday with due respect, marking the 42nd anniversary of the martyrdom of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, reports UNB.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led the nation in paying deep homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 in the morning.
After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time showing respect to the great leader.
A smartly-turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave state salute at that time, while the bugle played the last post.
A munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the August 15 carnage.
Sheikh Rehana, the youngest daughter of Bangabandhu, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice SK Sinha, cabinet members, Prime Minister's advisers, senior leaders of the Awami League and the 14-Party and high government officials were also present.
Later, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the Awami League, flanked by party's General Secretary Obaidul Quader and senior leaders, placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of the party.
After paying tributes, the prime minister along with her sister Sheikh Rehana visited the historic residence of Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 which witnessed the world's most barbaric carnage on this day 42 years ago.
After their departure, people from all walks of life wearing black badges paid homage to the Father of the Nation by placing wreaths at his portrait there.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also placed a floral wreath at the grave of the great leader at Tungipara in Gopalganj on the occasion.
She also attended a milad and doa mahfil arranged by Mohila Awami League after Asr prayers in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the capital.
On the occasion, a milad and doa mahfil was held at Bangabhaban after Zohr prayers, attended by President Abdul Hamid.
Different socio-cultural, political and professional organisations also marked the day with elaborate programmes.
Bangabandhu was assassinated along with most of his family members at the crack of dawn on August 15 in 1975 by a cabal of unruly army personnel under a deep-rooted conspiracy against the country and its independence.
His two daughters -- Sheikh Hasina, now the prime minister, and Sheikh Rehana -- survived the barbaric carnage as they were abroad at that time.
Eighteen members of Bangabandhu's family, including his wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, three sons -- Captain Sheikh Kamal, Lt Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell -- daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, brother Sheikh Naser, peasant leader Abdur Rob Serniabat, youth leader Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni and his wife Arzu Moni, Baby Serniabat, Sukanta Babu, Arif and Abdul Nayeem Khan Rintu, were killed on the fateful night.
Bangabandhu's Military Secretary Col Jamil was also killed. Some members of a family at Mohammadpur in the capital were killed by artillery shells fired by the killers on the same day.
The national flag was hoisted at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous bodies' buildings, educational institutions, private buildings and Bangladesh missions abroad.
Food was distributed among orphans and destitute people at noon.
State-run Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations aired special programmes highlighting the life, struggle and achievements of the great leader while newspapers brought out supplements on the occasion.
The Awami League will hold a discussion at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, with Awami League President Sheikh Hasina as the chief guest.