The nation is set to celebrate on Friday the 98th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a befitting manner.Like previous years, the day will also be observed as the National Children`s Day as Bangabandhu liked to spend time with children on his birthday.On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu, the spirited leader of Bangalee nation, the architect of independent Bangladesh and the greatest Bangalee of all times, was born in a greatly respected Muslim family in Tungipara village of Gopalganj sub-division, now district.The nation will celebrate the day through extensive programmes with fanfare and merriment. The day is a public holiday.On the eve of the day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages greeted the nation.In his message, Abdul Hamid said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of independent Bangladesh, always dreamt of building a happy and prosperous Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal). "We have to build our young generation as worthy citizens to materialise Bangabandhu`s dream of transforming our country into `Sonar-Bangla`," he said.Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said Bangabandhu was not only the leader of the Bangalee but also a forerunner in realising the rights of the oppressed and deprived masses of the world. "Let us join our hands to build a non-communal, hunger-poverty free and happy-prosperous `Sonar Bangla` as dreamt by the Father of the Nation. On the day, this is our commitment," she said.The president and the prime minister will lay wreaths at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj today morning and will join a milad and doa mahfil.A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force will give an honour guard on the occasion.Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend a children`s rally, book fair and cultural event to be organised on the premises of Bangabandhu Mausoleum.The premier will also visit a photography exhibition on Bangabandhu`s life titled "Khoka Theke Bangabandhu" will be arranged at the mausoleum premises marking the day.Awami League, its associate and likeminded bodies have chalked out elaborate programmes to celebrate the day in a befitting manner.The programme includes hoisting of national flag and party flag atop the Bangabandhu Bhaban and all party offices at 6.30am and paying tributes to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 here at 7am tomorrow.On March 18, a discussion will be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC)on the occasion.Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will chair it.Marking the birthday, Islamic Foundation will arrange Quran Khwani, Milad and Doa Mahfil at over 60, 000 academic institutions including madrasas throughout the country at 9am tomorrow praying for eternal peace of departed souls of Bangabandhu and his family members who were assassinated on August 15 in 1975.Dhaka University (DU) led by its Vice-Chancellor Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique will pay homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.A discussion will be held at the Teacher-Student Centre of DU on the campus at 10.30am. Prayers will be held after Jummah at different residential hall mosques including the central mosque and Upasanaloy at Jagannath Hall. DU Fine Arts Faculty will stage drawing competition from 10am to 12 noon on the faculty premises.Besides, Cultural Affairs Ministry, Information Ministry, National Library, Department of Films and Publications and Directorate of Mass Communication will screen documentary and stage weeklong exhibition on Bangabandhu and Liberation War at district and upazila levels.Bangladeshi missions in different countries will also celebrate the day with due respect.The government will arrange showing of a three dimensional video of historic 7th March Speech of Bangabandhu titled "Pita" at Star Cineplex of Bashundhara City in Panthopath in the capital city from 10am to 1pm tomorrow. Around 1.5 thousand children and juvenile can enjoy the show.Source: BSS