Historic Mujibnagar Day observed

The historic Mujibnagar Day was observed on Sunday in a befitting manner marking the oath-taking ceremony of country's first government on April 17, 1971.

The day's programme included hoisting national flag, discussion, paying homage to Bangabandhu, giving guard of honor and passing out parade.

Marking the day, on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait at Dhanmodi-32 in the capital of Dhaka in the morning.

Later, Quader along with the party's senior leaders placed another wreath at Bangabandhu's portrait on behalf of the party.

AL presidium members - Begum Matia Chowdhury and Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzaque, organizing secretaries Ahmad Hossain and Mirza Azam, liberation war affairs secretary Mrinal Kanti Das, cultural secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, relief and social welfare secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, science and technology affairs secretary Abdus Sabur, office secretary Biplab Barua, central committee member Dr Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury and Deputy Minister for Water Resources AKM Enamul Hoque Shameem were present, among others, on the occasion.

AL's Dhaka city north and south units, Awami Jubo League, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Awami Swechchhasebak League, Krishak League and Jatiya Sramik League and different other organizations paid homage to Bangabandhu.

Meherpur Correspondent Reports: The historic Mujibnagar Day was observed here today with a pledge to let the new generation know the history of the Independence War.

The day was observed remembering the oath taking of the Bangladesh government-in-exile during the Liberation War in 1971 at Baidyanathtala of Meherpur in Kushtia on April 17, 1971.

The day's programme began with formally hoisting the national flag beside Sheikh Hasina Manch at Mujibnagar Memorial at dawn.

A one-minute silence was observed and doa was offered seeking eternal peace of the martyrs.

Later, a team in coordination of members from police, BGB, Ansar, freedom fighters, VDP, BNCC, Scout and Girls Guide and students of different schools gave a guard of honor and passed out parade.

Afterward, a discussion was held at the Sheikh Hasina Manch.

Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim addressed it as the chief guest with Awami League Organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Haque in the chair.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Organizing Secretary Advocate Afjal Hossain and State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain also addressed it.

Marking the day, a discussion was arranged at Information Ministry's meeting room at the Secretariat. Cover of a book titled "Sangbad Sironame Bangabandhu" (Bangabandhu in news headlines) was also unveiled on the occasion.

Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud addressed the discussion as the chief guest with Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Makbul Hossain in the chair.

Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) Director General Zafar Wazed, Department of Films and Publications (DFP) Director General SM Golam Kibria, Principal Information Officer Md Shahinoor Miah also joined it.

Hasan Mahmud said as Bangabandhu was in jail in Pakistan, he could not take oath for the Mujibnagar government.

Under Bangabandhu's leadership, the government took oath on this day in 1971 at Mujibnagar of Meherpur in the then Kushtia district, he said.

The entire Liberation War was conducted under this first Mujibnagar government, the first government of Bangladesh, he said, adding that sector commanders of the war were also appointed under this government.

Following the Pakistan army's genocide on unarmed Bangalees on the black night of March 25 in 1971, senior leaders of Awami League assembled at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur on April 17 to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh.

Baidyanathtala, mainly a mango orchard, was later named Mujibnagar after ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared the first president of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, while Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.

Tajuddin Ahmed was appointed as the first prime minister, while Khondoker Moshtaque Ahmed, Capt M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamaruzzaman were named as cabinet members.

The government named General MAG Osmani as Commander-in-Chief of Mukti Bahini while it appointed Major General Abdur Rob as chief of staff.

The provisional government gave successful leadership to the War of Liberation for achieving victory on December 16.

Marking the day, newspapers published special supplements while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and private TV channels aired different programmes highlighting significance of the day.

Source: BSS