The nation paid profound homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Friday on the occasion of the National Mourning Day.
On this day in 1975, Bangabandhu and most of his family members were killed in his house by a group of disgruntled army officers as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy of the anti-liberation forces.
Some18 members of Bangabandhu family and his close ones, including his wife Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, brother Sheikh Naser, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and 10-year-old Sheikh Russell, were killed in the August 15 night.
However, both the daughters of Bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, escaped the carnage as they were abroad.
The programme of the day began 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 to mark the martyrs of August 15 carnage.
As the day was a public holiday, hundreds of people from all walks of life, wearing black badges, also throng Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the morning to pay homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait.
Special prayers were also offered at places of worships seeking divine blessings for eternal peace of the souls of the martyrs of August 15 carnage.
Other programmes of the day included discussions, poetry recitation session, child-juvenile painting competition, photographic exhibition and hamd and nat competition.
To mark the day, the national dailies published special supplements. Besides, Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and other private television channels and radio centres broadcast day-long special programmes highlighting the simple life of Bangabandhu, his affection and care for the people and immense contributions to the nation.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 in the morning by placing floral wreaths.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the President as he arrived at Dhanmondi Road No 32. As part of the state programme, the President and the Prime Minister placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at 6:32 am.
After the placing of the wreaths, a smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute and bugle played the last post.
The President and the Prime Minister, also the elder daughter of the Father of the Nation, stood in solemn silence in front of the portrait for some time.
Later, a munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of Bangabandhu and martyrs of August 15.
Chief Justice Md Muzammel Hossain, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, cabinet members, PM’s advisors, parliament members, cabinet secretary, chiefs of three services, senior leaders of Awami League and 14-party combine and senior government officials were present on the occasion.
Later, the Prime Minister visited Banani Graveyard in the city and paid homage to her mother Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib, her brothers Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell and other martyrs of August 15.
The Prime Minister later paid visit to Tungipara and placed floral wreaths at the mazar of Bangabandhu there.
Bangladesh missions abroad also observed the National Mourning Day in a befitting manner.
Besides, Awami League will organize a discussion meeting at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at 2-30 pm today (Saturday).
