Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his historic homecoming day.

She paid homage to the great leader by placing a wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi this morning.

Bangabandhu's younger daughter and prime minister's younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present at that time.

After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of Bangladesh's independence.

Flanked by central leaders of Bangladesh Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, the president of the party, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party.

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 on January 10 in 1972, after 290 days of confinement in Pakistan jail.

Since then, the nation is observing the day as the homecoming day of the Father of the Nation.

It has been 48 years since the darkest night in the history of Bangladesh took place. It was August 15 when the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with his family, were brutally assassinated. The entire nation lost a guardian that day. Observing the day, television channels have showcased several programmes to commemorate the leader and his family.

At 7 am, BTV will air the documentary "15 August-er Shei Raat". The singing programme "Chetonay Mujib" will be screened at 8:15 am. The channel has arranged a children's programme "Bangabandhu Ke Jani" commemorating the day, which will be telecasted at 9 am. The documentary "Shoke Noy Chetonay Mujib" is going to air at 10:10 am. To add the flavour of stage, they will telecast the play "Obhishopto August" at 12:40 pm.

Abar Ashibo Phirey

The feature film, "Tungiparar Miya Bhai", directed by Shamim Ahamed Roni, will be aired at 2:30 pm. Poem recitation for Bangabandhu will be shown at 6:20 pm, while the read-along of excerpts from "Bangabandhu'r Oshomapto Atmajiboni" will be aired at 6:45 pm. The talk show "Tarunner Bhabnay Bangabandhu" will be featured at 7 pm. Special fiction "Abar Ashibo Phirey", directed by Animesh Aich will be televised at 9 pm.

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'Hasina - A Daughter's Tale' to stream on Chorki 

Deepto TV has arranged a wide range of programme focusing on the National Day of Mourning. At 7:40 am, they will air the documentaries "Bari Number 677" and "Shesh Prohorer Agey"
at 8 am. At 11:30 pm, the talk show "Shokaboho August" will be held.

Ekattorer Nishan

Channel i's arrangement for August 15 consists of the special fiction "Rintu'r Na Phera", which will be aired at 7:50 pm. It has been directed by Anjan Aich. Based on Rabeya Khatun's novel of the same name, the telefilm "Ekattorer Nishan" will be aired at 3:05 pm. It has been directed by Taher Shipon. It features Fazlur Rahman Babu, Kachi Khandoker, and Munira Mithu among others.

Chetonay Mujib

Boishakhi television will air the songs from the films based on the Liberation War of Bangladesh at 9:10 am. At 10 pm, the channel will air the fiction "Chetonay Mujib". It has been directed by Akash Ranjan. It stars Shahiduzzaman Selim, Tonmoy Sohel, and Ashraf Kabir among others.

The channel will air three patriotic films. At 10:10 am, the film "Shipahi" will be aired, which features Ilias Kanchan, Manna, and Champa. The animated film based on Bangabandhu's incomplete memoirs, "Mujib Bhai" will be televised at 12:20 pm. It has been directed by Sohel Mohammad Rana. Another film, "Hangor Nodir Grenade" will be aired at 2:45 pm. Directed by Chashi Nazrul Islam, the film stars Sohel Rana, Shuchorita, Dodul and Aruna Biswas among others. The film "Desher Mati" will be aired at 12 am. It stars Manna, Shahnaz, and Humayun Faridee among others.

Shesh Prohorer Agey

Maasranga television's arrangement for August 15 includes the animation film "Mujib Bhai" to air at 6 pm. The channel will telecast the documentary "Hasina: A Daughter's Tale" at 7:35 pm. The docufilm has been directed by Piplu R Khan. The fiction "Bojrokantho" will be aired at 10:30 pm which has been directed by Rokeya Prachi. It stars Imtiaz Barshon, Nishat Priom and Rokeya Prachi among others.

Hamida Akter Zeba came out first in the female category finishing the 21.1km Rajshahi half marathon in 2:03.02hrs on Friday. Ashif Biswas was adjudged champion in men's category after he finished his race 2.09.03hrs.

Elahi Sardar and Emran Hossain ended up as first and second runners-up in the male category while Nargis Jahan and Samia Akter finished in second and third positions in female category.

A total of 18 earliest finishers among 1007 participants were awarded with cash prizes worth Tk 1.65 lakh alongside trophies, crests, certificates, and other benefits.

Junior Chamber International (JCI) organised the half marathon in collaboration with Rajshahi Runners and Rajshahi Metropolitan Police to celebrate the National Children's Day and the 103rd birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Beginning at 6:00am, the half marathon took place at the city's new bypass road of Biman Chattar aiming to build awareness on physical fitness through participation in games.

At end of the marathon, JCI Bangladesh National President Ziaul Haque Handed over checks to the winners.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon all, including the leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies, to plant at least three saplings to make Bangladesh a much greener country.

The Prime Minister made the call while inaugurating Bangladesh Krishok League's three-month-long tree plantation campaign at her official residence Gono Bhaban.

The government wants to ensure overall economic development of the country while protecting its environment and surroundings, Hasina said.

Hoping to see a livelier and much better environment in the country, she mentioned that the government is implementing various programmes to this end.

The Prime Minister said forestation in Bangladesh has gone up to 22 percent from a mere 7 percent due to massive afforestation across the country under her governance.

Hasina said such steps will help improve the country's environment. Alongside expanding afforestation, this is how Bangladesh will be able to set an example in the world.

About the plantation campaign, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh Awami League decided in 1983 to observe countrywide tree plantation campaigns on the 1st day of Asharh every year before proceeding with afforestation programmes.

She requested the leaders, workers, and well-wishers of Awami League and its associate bodies as well as those who believe in Bangabandhu's ideology to plant at least one fruit, one wood, and one medicinal sapling.