The 42nd Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is being observed across the country with elaborate programmes today (Friday). On this day in 1972, Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of the nation and supreme commander of the country`s Liberation War, returned to the sacred soil of independent Bangladesh via London and New Delhi from his captivity in a jail of Pakistan. President Mohammad Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages to mark the day. The ruling Awami League, its associate bodies, other political parties and socio-cultural-professional organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the Homecoming Day of Bangabandhu. The AL`s programme include hoisting of the national and party flags at its central office, Bangabandhu Bhaban and offices across the country at 6-30 am, placing of wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, Dhanmondi at 7 am and holding of a discussion at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the city at 2 pm. Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the discussion as the chief guest while party presidium member and Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury will chair it. Eminent intellectuals and national leaders will be the discussants. In a statement yesterday, AL general secretary and LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam urged the people in general and party leaders and workers in particular to take part in the programmes of the day. Background of the Day On March 26 in 1971, Bangabandhu proclaimed independence of Bangladesh and urged his beloved people from all walks of life to participate wholeheartedly in the nation`s war of liberation. Immediately after the proclamation of the independence Bangabandhu was arrested at the order of Pakistani military ruler General Yahya Khan and he was detained in Milanwali jail in west Pakistan. Though the final victory in the nine-month-old war of independence was achieved defeating the Pakistani occupation forces on December 16 in 1971, the nation`s expectations were fulfilled and the people got the real taste of victory with the homecoming of Bangabandhu on January 10 in 1972. Source: BSS
