President pays homage to Bangabandhu, war and language heroes

On the first day in office President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday paid tributes to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 1952 language heroes, reports UNB.
He first went to the National Mausoleum at Savar and placed a wreath there at about 11:40am for the first time after assuming the office as the 22nd President while he also laid floral wreath at portrait of Bangabandhu at 12.20pm and Central Shaheed Minar at 12.30pm respectively.
A smartly turned out contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force presented the state salute on the occasion as the bugles played the last post.
Shahabuddin, himself a heroic freedom fighter, stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memories of the war heroes.
The country was liberated from the Pakistani occupation forces on December 16 in 1971 after a nine-month long Liberation War.
The President also signed the visitors' book kept on the monument's premises.
From Savar the president went to Bangabandhu Memorial museum at 32 Dhanmondhi and placed a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu.
He also witnessed a holographic presentation on Bangabandhu's historic 7th March speech.
He signed the visitors' book kept on the premises.
The president also visited the Central Shaheed Minar where remembered the language martyrs.
Earlier in the day he received his maiden ceremonial guard of honour by President Regiment Guard (PGR) morning at Bangabhaban before leaving for Savar.
His family members and Bangabhaban officials witnessed the ceremony held at about 10.30am.
A smartly turned-out contingent of the PGR presented him a guard of honour as part of the ceremony while a band comprising army, navy, and air force played the welcome tune.
Meanwhile, world leaders continue to greet President Mohammed Sahabuddin on his historic assumption of the exalted office as the President of Bangladesh, reports BSS.
Emperor of Japan Naruhito, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, President of Iran Saeed Ibrahim Raisi, King of Malaysia Sultan Haji Ahmed Shah Al Mustain Billah, Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida and President of Singapore Halimah Yaqoob in separate messages congratulated him. The separate messages containing greetings from the world leaders arrived here on Tuesday.
Wishing peace and prosperity for the people of Bangladesh, the leaders stressed further strengthening the relations.
Emperor of Japan NARUHITO, in his message, said, "I have great pleasure in sending you my heartfelt congratulations and sincere good wishes for the success and happiness of Your Excellency and for the prosperity of the people of your country."
Italian President Sergio Mattarella wished his best wishes for success in carrying out the high task as the President of Bangladesh.
He said, "Since the independence of your country, Dhaka and Rome are linked by solid bonds of friendship. These bonds have been consolidated over time, including with the contribution of the large Bangladeshi community in Italy."
"During your term of office there will be opportunities to further strengthen the relations between our two countries," he added.
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, in his message, said "I hope that in view of the cultural, historical, and religious bonds and the shared values of the two peoples of Iran and Bangladesh, and given the apt potentials and a good history of co-operation between the two countries as important and influential as they are in the World of Islam."
"We will witness all the more development of relations in all areas and in line with the mutual interests of the two nations," he said.
"I pray to God the Almighty for Your Excellency's well-being and success as also for the welfare and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh," he added.
King of Malaysia Al-sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta' In Billah extended his warmest congratulations to Sahabuddin.
"We highly value the brotherly relations between Malaysia and the People's Republic of Bangladesh, and it is my fervent hope that it will continue to inspire us to work closely on matters of common interest," he noted.
Japanese Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio, in his greeting message, said, "On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations on your assumption of office as President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh."
He firmly believed that Bangladesh would achieve further development under this presidency in the days to come.