The nation is observing today the National Mourning Day, with paying rich tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his 42nd anniversary of martyrdom.
The self-confessed killers of August 15 did not assassinate Bangabandhu alone, but also 16 other members of his family, friends and relatives.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, escaped the planned assassination with her sister Sheikh Rehana as they were staying overseas then.
The nation, however, started observing the month of mourning from August 1, recalling the most brutal killing in its history and renewing the pledge to safeguard perpetually the country's independence and sovereignty.
Like previous years, the government, Awami League and different political and socio-cultural organisations, educational institutions and professional groups have chalked out elaborate programmes to pay the utmost respect to the greatest son of the soil on the day of his martyrdom.
As part of the state programme, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid wreaths separately at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No. 32 in the capital this morning, leading the nation in paying homage to Father of the Nation, marking his 42nd anniversary of his martyrdom.
After placing wreaths, the president and the prime minister stood in solemn silence for sometime showing respect to the great leader. A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave state salute at that time, while bugle played the last post. A munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the August 15 carnage.
Following the president and the prime minister and other dignitaries, people from all walks of life with wearing black badges thronged the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum to pay their profound homage to Father of the Nation by placing wreaths at his portrait there.
Sheikh Hasina also placed wreaths and offered fateha at the Banani graveyard for all family members of the father of the nation and others, who embraced martyrdom with Bangabandhu on August 15, 1975.
In the morning, prime minister also placed wreath at the mazar of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj. Fateha will be offered and the Armed Forces will again give a guard of honour there. A special milad mahfil and dua will be held there after Zohr prayers.
In line with the national programme, different ministries and departments, directorates and agencies are organising various programmes at their respective institutions.
Similarly, all city corporations, district councils, municipalities and union councils are holding different programmes to observe the day with due respect and solemnity.
For the mourning day, the national flag are kept half-mast atop the offices of all government, semi-government and autonomous bodies and educational institutions. The day is public holiday.
Bangladesh missions abroad have arranged discussions with hoisting the national flag half-mast atop their respective offices.
Awami League (AL) kept the national flag and the party flag at half-mast while black flags are hoisted at the Bangabandhu Bhaban and all other offices of the party across the country.
AL has arranged distribution of special foods among the poor, destitute and orphanages. The party will hold milad-mahfil and offer doa at Bangabandhu Bhaban after Asr prayers today.
It will organize a discussion meeting at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) at 4 pm on August 16 with party president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private TV channels and radio stations are broadcasting special programmes in observance of the National Mourning day.
National and regional newspapers have brought out special supplements on the occasion.
Later on the day, special prayers will be offered at all mosques across the country seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and his deceased family members.
Besides, special prayers will also be offered at all temples and places of worships of other religions.
Source: BSS