Bangabandhu`s Homecoming Day tomorrow

The 45th Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be observed in the city as elsewhere in the country with elaborate programmes on Sunday.

On January 10 in 1972, Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of the nation and supreme commander of the country`s Liberation War, returned to the sacred soil of independent Bangladesh via London and New Delhi from his captivity in Pakistan.

Earlier on March 26 in 1971, Bangabandhu proclaimed independence of Bangladesh and urged people from all walks of life to participate wholeheartedly in the nation`s War of Liberation.

Immediately after proclamation of the independence, Bangabandhu was arrested by Pakistani military junta and then flown to West Pakistan to keep him in prisons there.

Though the final victory in the nine-month-old War of Independence was achieved defeating Pakistani occupation forces on December 16 in 1971, the nation`s expectations were fulfilled and the people got the real taste of victory with the homecoming of Bangabandhu on January 10 in 1972.

On reaching Dhaka (Tejgaon) airport in the afternoon on January 10, Bangabandhu was greeted by tens of thousands of jubilant people who had been eagerly waiting to see the beloved leader since the final victory on December 16 in 1971.

From airport Bangabandhu was moved to the Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy udayan) where he addressed a spontaneous reception accorded to him by the cheerful countrymen believed to be one million. He recalled with respect the contribution of all during the war and urged the people to rebuild the war-ravaged country.

Bangabandhu took oath of office as the country`s Prime Minister on January 12, 1972.

The ruling Awami League, its associate bodies, other political parties and socio-cultural-professional organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the Homecoming Day of Bangabandhu in a befitting manner.

The AL`s programmes include placing of wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, Dhanmondi at 7 am. As part of the programme, a discussion meeting will be held at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan in the city at 2.30 pm on January 11 (Monday).

Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the discussion as the chief guest while eminent intellectuals and national leaders will take part in the discussion.