Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of independent Bangladesh, lies deep in the heart of children, said his grandson Radwan Mujib Siddiq yesterday.

Radwan was attending a children's drawing competition, marking Bangabandhu's birthday and National Children's Day.

“...children's painting portrayed their imagination on Bangabandhu and testified their deepest love for him,” Radwan told the children's event while handing over awards among the toppers in Bangabandhu Museum in the capital's Dhanmondi.

The presence of Radwan, nephew of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, added a new dimension to the comic art contest organised by ruling Awami League's research wing Centre for Research and Information (CRI).

Participants busy preparing their strips during the competition. Photo: Star

A total of 30 children from different schools in Dhaka took part in the competition from 10:00am to 1:00pm. A quiz contest was also held on the life and work of Bangabandhu.

A daylong screening of documentaries showcasing the struggle of Bangabandhu was also arranged for the visitors of the museum.

Meanwhile, the 98th birthday of Bangabandhu and National Children Day-2018 was observed throughout the country in a befitting manner.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina place wreaths at the grave of Bangabandhu in Tungipara, Gopalganj. Photo: PID

People from all strata along with different cultural, professional and social organisations, including the ruling Awami League and its associate bodies, thronged Bangabandhu Bhaban in the morning to pay glowing tributes to him by placing wreaths at his portrait on Road-32 in Dhanmondi.

The prime minister with children at a cultural event organised by the women and children affairs ministry in Tungipara. Photo: PID

In Chittagong, district administration, different political parties, educational institutions and socio-cultural organisations arranged various programmes.

The premier attends a book fair at the same place. Photo: Photo: PID

The programmes included children's rally, placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu, cultural functions, discussions, essay and drawing competitions and poetry recitation.

In Rajshahi, the district administration brought out a colourful procession from the Laboratory School to Shilpakala Academy.

Dhaka South City Corporation brings out a procession on Topkhana road, celebrating the birthday. Photo: Collected

Similarly, the birthday was observed in Dhaka and Jahangirnagar University, Rangpur, Gaibandha,Khulna, Chapainawabganj, Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, Kharachari, Feni, Noakhali, Comilla, Narayanganj, Manikganj, Jessore, Jhenidah, Sylhet and Sunamganj.