PM pays homage to Bangabandhu on his birth centenary

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman heralding the yearlong birth centenary celebrations of the great leader.

The premier paid the homage by placing a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on the historic 32 Dhanmondi Road here this morning.

After laying the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, also the architect of independence.

Bangabandhu's younger daughter Sheikh Rehana and granddaughter Saima Wazed Hossain were present on the occasion.

Cabinet members, PM's advisers, parliament members and senior leaders of Bangladesh Awami League (AL) were also present.

Later flanked by the central party leaders, Sheikh Hasina, also the AL president, laid another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party.

Later Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury and Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait separately.

Leaders of the National Implementation Committee for the Celebration of the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led by its President National Professor Mohammad Rafiqul Islam and Chief Coordinator Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury laid a wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation.

Officials of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) led by PM's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus paid tributes to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath.

Later, the leaders of associate bodies of Awami League and other sociocultural organisations placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu.

On March 17 one hundred years ago, Bangabandhu, the greatest Bangalee of all time, was born to a respected family at Tungipara village of the then Gopalganj sub-division, now a district as the third among six children of Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and Saira Khatun.

The birth centenary of Bangabandhu is being celebrated across the country today as the National Children's Day.

The government declared the period from March 17, 2020 to March 26, 2021 as the 'Mujib Borsho' marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu. Along with Bangladesh, the 'Mujib Year' is being celebrated globally with the initiative of UNESCO.

The government had chalked out various programmes, including a grand opening ceremony, to be observed throughout the year.

However, the programmes have been rescheduled following the detection of coronavirus in Bangladesh.

The grand inaugural ceremony which was scheduled to be held at the National Parade Ground today has been postponed and it will be held later.

The celebrations will begin with fireworks at 8pm at the Suhrawardy Udyan today.