The nation observes National Mourning Day today paying rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his 41st anniversary of martyrdom, reports BSS. The government, Awami League (AL) and its front and associate bodies; and different socio-cultural, political and professional organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes, highlighting the darkest part in national history and mourning Bangbandhu’s death along with most of his family members.
On this day in 1975, Bangabandhu and most of his family members were assassinated under an orchestrated conspiracy while a group of derailed army personnel staged the carnage to reverse the values of 1971 Liberation War.
Bangabandhu’s two daughters- Sheikh Hasina, now prime minister, and Sheikh Rehana - escaped the bloodbath as they were abroad at that time. The day is a public holiday. The day’s programme will start with hoisting of the national flag at half-mast and raising of black flags atop public and private buildings, including Bangabandhu Bhaban as a mark of respect to the martyrs of August 15, 1975 carnage.
Wearing black badges, hundreds of people from all walks of life will throng the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum since early in the morning to pay profound homage to Father of the Nation by placing wreaths at his portrait there.
Like in the capital city, thousands of mourners from all strata will also gather at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara to pay deep homage to Father of the Nation.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will led the nation in paying tribute to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait early in the morning.
After placing the wreaths, the President and the Prime Minister will stand in solemn silence there for some time as a mark of profound respect to Bangabandhu, the architect of independence, and other martyrs.
Special contingents of Bangladesh Armed Forces will an honour guard, while bugle played the last post during the time.
A munajat will also offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage. Flanked by senior leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Awami League will place another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu.
Different ministries, divisions, institutions and socio- cultural- professional bodies will also placed wreaths.
The national dailies will publish special supplements while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and other private television channels and radio stations will air special programmes highlighting the life of Bangabandhu, his affection and care for his people and immense contribution to the nation.
Special prayers will be offered at all the places of worships seeking divine blessings for eternal peace of the souls of the martyrs of August 15 carnage while different organisation will organise blood donations camps and distributions of foods among the destitute at different places across the country.
Black banners and posters will be hung at different places across the capital and the country. The historic speeches of Bangabandhu and patriotic songs will be playing through loudspeakers at different places.