The 73rd birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also president of ruling Bangladesh Awami League, was celebrated with a festive mood across the country on Saturday.
AL and its associate bodies and other organisations observed the day with various programmes, including discussions, colourful rallies, processions and photo exhibitions in the capital and elsewhere in the country.
To mark the day, different thoroughfares and intersections of the capital were adorned with colorful placards, festoon and banners depicting the works and successes of the Prime Minister.
Like the previous years, the birthday was celebrated in the absence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as she is staying in the United States to join the United Nations General Assembly.
As a part of the AL central programmes, a discussion was held at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in the city with AL Presidium Member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury in the chair. AL General Secretary Obaidul Qauder also spoke at the event.
Besides, AL sub-committee on relief and social welfare arranged another discussion at the seminar room of Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of ruling AL, brought out a colourful rally from Modhur Canteen of the Dhaka University and paraded through the university campus.
The Cultural Affairs Ministry and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy jointly organised a month-long exhibition marking the Prime Minister’s birthday.
The exhibition titled ‘Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh-er Shopnosharathi’ is being held at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The exhibition, featuring photographs, paintings and installations over her life and works, portray the journey, struggles and political career of the Prime Minister.
A total of 231 photographs and 133 paintings are being displayed at galleries 1, 2 and 6, which will continue until October 26.
Of the paintings, some 100 artworks were painted at an art-camp organised by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy few months ago.
Artists, including Abdul Rab Khan, Titas Chakma, Jayant Sarkar Jan, Syeda Tamanna Afroz, Shivali Howlader, Shrikant Roy Subir, Surbhi Akhter and Shuvra Talukder, among others, participated in the camp.
A poet festival titled ‘Poet Festival of Peace and Harmony’ was held at Begum Sufia Kamal Hall of Bangladesh National Museum.
The chief coordinator of national implementation committee for birth centenary celebration of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman spoke on the occasion as the chief guest.
Besides, Milad and Doa Mahfils were held, and special prayers were offered at mosques, churches and temples across the country. A Milad and Doa Mahfil was held at Ganobhaban, the official residence of the Prime Minister. Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman, Saifuzzaman Shikhor, MP, and AL leaders were present.
A Milad and Dua Mahfil was also held at the Parliament Members Club in the afternoon marking the birthday of the Prime Minister.
Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah, Chief Whip Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury, whips and MPs joined the event arranged by the Parliament Members Club.
Sheikh Hasina, the eldest of the five children of Bangabandhu, was born on September 28, 1947 at Tungipara in Gopalganj.
