Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The grateful nation is paying rich tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his 40th anniversary of martyrdom with observing the occasion as National Mourning Day at the state level.
To mark the day, the government, ruling Awami League (AL), its front and associate bodies, different socio-cultural, political and professional bodies held elaborate programmes.
On this day in 1975, the Father of the Nation along with most of his family members was assassinated by a section of disgruntled and ambitious army personnel.
His two daughters - Sheikh Hasina, now prime minister, and Sheikh Rehana- escaped the bloodbath as they were abroad.
The day was a public holiday. The day's programme started with the hoisting of National Flag at half-mast and raising of black flags atop all public and private buildings including Bangabandhu Bhaban in the morning as a mark of respect to the martyrs of August 15, 1975 carnage.
Since early in the morning, hundreds of thousands of people from all strata of life thronged the Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi Road-32 in the capital city to pay homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina led the nation in paying tribute to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait around 6:35am.
After placing the wreaths, the President and the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence there for some time as a mark of profound respect to Bangabandhu, the architect of independence, and other martyrs.
A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave an honour guard, while bugle played the last post during the time.
A munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, Deputy Leader of the Jatiya Sangsad Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Bangabandhu's younger daughter Sheikh Rehana, cabinet members, Prime Minister's advisors, parliament members, cabinet secretary, chiefs of the three services, senior leaders of Awami League and central 14-Party Combine and senior government officials were present on the occasion.
Flanked by senior leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Awami League placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu.
Different ministries, divisions, institutions and socio- cultural- professional bodies also placed wreaths. Officials and employees of Information Ministry led by its Additional Secretary ASM Mahbubul Alam placed wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation.
Wearing black badges, hundreds of people from all walks of life thronged Bangabandhu Memorial Museum also in the morning to pay profound homage to Father of the Nation by placing wreaths at his portrait there.
The national dailies published special supplements while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and other private television channels and radio centres aired special programmes highlighting the simple and self-less life of Bangabandhu, his affection and care for his people and immense contribution to the nation.
Special prayers were offered at all the places of worships seeking divine blessings for eternal peace of the souls of the martyrs of August 15 carnage while blood donations camps are the other programmes of the day. Foods have been distributed among the destitute at different places across the country.
A prayer of Sarbo Dharmio (all religions) was offered seeking eternal peace of Bangabandhu, his slain wife Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib and departed souls of all victims of August 15, 1975 at Jatiya Press Club this morning. Prayers were also offered seeking country's continued peace, progress and prosperity.
Black banners and posters were hung at different places across the capital. The historic speeches of Bangabandhu and patriotic songs have been airing through loudspeakers since Friday.
BBN/SSR/AD