National

Bangamata’s 86th birth anniversary today

Today is the 86th birth anniversary of Bangamata Begum Fajilatunnesa Mujib, the woman behind the successes of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.Ruling Awami League (AL) chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day. The party placed wreaths on her grave at Banani graveyard at 8.30 am and organised special prayers for salvation of her departed soul, reprots BSS.Awami Swechhasebok league will organise a discussion at Bangabandhu building premises at 11 am.Dhaka City South and North units of AL and its associate organisations will organise discussion and Doa Mahfil at AL central office at Bangabandhu avenue after Asr prayers.Juba league will organise a discussion and Juba Mohila League will distribute foods and cloths among street children marking the day. Awami League general secretary and Minister for Public Administration Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday called upon Awami League and its front organisations, leaders and well-wishers to observe the birth anniversary across the country in a befitting manner.In a statement, he said, Fajilatunnesa was a source of inspiration for Bangabandhu in all struggles.Deputy Leader of the House of Bangladesh Parliament Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury in a statement said Begum Fajilatunnesa was a very simple woman.Fajilatunnesa was born on August 8, 1930 at Tungipara village in Gopalganj. She lost her parents at the age of five and was raised by her future mother-in-law, mother of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. She was married to Bangabandhu at the age of 11 and had three sons and two daughters.Begum Mujib inspired Bangabandu in all movements and through numerous hardships. She was kept under house arrest during the Liberation War by Pakistani army until December 17, 1971, a day after the country was liberated.Bangamata was killed along with Bangabandhu and most of her family members by a disgruntled group of army officers on August 15, 1975. Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana are her two surviving children since they were abroad at that time.