Staff Reporter :The nation observed the National Mourning Day on Monday across the country paying rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his 41st martyrdom anniversary.The government, the ruling Awami League (AL) and different socio-cultural, political and professional bodies chalked out elaborate programme to mark the day. Thousands of people from all strata participated in the programme to pay their homage to the greatest leader. On this day in 1975, the Father of the Nation along with most of his family members was assassinated by a section of disgruntled army personnel.His two daughters-Sheikh Hasina, now prime minister and Sheikh Rehana-escaped the bloodbath as they were abroad at that time.Security in and around the capital city as well as in other metropolitan cities had been beefed up to avoid any untoward incident. Entry and exit points of the metropolis had been kept under extensive watch as part of the enhanced security measures. The day’s programme began with hoisting of the national flag at half-mast and raising of black flags atop public and private buildings, including Bangabandhu Bhaban, as a mark of respect to the martyrs of August 15, 1975 carnage.Wearing black badges, hundreds of people from all walks of life thronged the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on the historical road number 32 in Dhanmondi residential area since as early as 6 in the morning to pay profound homage to the Father of the Nation by placing wreaths at his portrait there.People of all walks of life expressed their strong commitment to protect the values of the War of Independence by resisting all conspiracy against the country and fighting back terrorism and militancy by building a national unity like they did in 1971.The resolution came from the politicians, intellectuals, social and development activists, professional groups, civil society members and trade bodies while they were paying their highest and deepest respect to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his 41st martyrdom anniversary. As part of the state programme on the National Mourning Day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the wreaths separately at the portrait of Bangabandhu. After placing the wreaths, the President and the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence there for some time as a mark of respect to the great leader. A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave an honour guard, while bugle played tune of grief and somber. Special Munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls.Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, cabinet members, Prime Minister’s advisors, parliament members, cabinet secretary, chiefs of the three services, senior leaders of Bangladesh Awami League and the 14-Party combine, and senior government officials were present on the occasion.Flanked by senior party leaders, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Awami League, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu. Later, the Prime Minister visited the historic residence of Bangabandhu on Dhanmondi Road No. 32 which witnessed world’s one of the most barbaric carnage on this day in 1975.Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury placed wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu while President of Supreme Court Bar Association Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun placed wreath on behalf of Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha.The 14-Party Combine, led by Health Minister and AL Presidium Member Mohammad Nasim, Information Minister and JASOD President Hasanul Haque Inu, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister and Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, Samyabadi Dal President and former minister Dilip Barua also placed wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation.Later, the Prime Minister went to Banani Graveyard in the city and paid homage to her mother Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell and other martyrs of August 15 by placing wreaths and spreading flower petals on their graves. She also offered Fateha and doa seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of August 15. Like in the capital city, thousands of mourners from all strata of life also gathered at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara to pay deep homage to Father of the Nation. The Prime Minister paid homage to Father of the Nation by placing wreath at his graveyard and stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the architect of the independence. A special contingent drawn from the three services gave a state salute on the occasion, while bugle played the last post. Chiefs of the three services were present at that time. Different ministries, divisions, institutions, foreign diplomats and socio-cultural-professional bodies also placed wreaths at Bangabandhu’s portrait in front of Bangabandhu Museum. Bangladesh missions in different countries observed the day with due fervor amid different programmes.The national dailies published special supplements while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and other private television channels and radio stations aired special programmes highlighting the 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 different organisation organised blood donation camps and distributed foods among the destitute at different places across the country.Black banners and posters were hung at different places across the capital and the country. The historic speeches of Bangabandhu and patriotic songs were played through loudspeakers at different places.The day was a public holiday, but the capital city and other major cities and towns were busy when people came out of their homes to pay homage to their greatest leader by participating in different programmes, organised in befitting manners.A milad mahfil was held yesterday at Bangabhaban on the occasion of National Mourning Day. President Abdul Hamid attended the milad mahfil held at Darbar hall after Zohr prayers.A special munajat was offered seeking divine blessings for the peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyred members of his family.On behalf of Dhaka Zila Sarak Paribahan Sramik Union, greater Demra Thana Awami League arranged offering of munajat for the peace of the departed soul of Bangabandhu at mosques and other places of warship in the thana. Foods were also distributed among the destitute in the area.
