Nation pays homage to Bangabandhu

People from all walks of life are observing the National Mourning Day today with due respect and solemnity, marking the 41st death anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Every year, the country observes the National Mourning Day on August 15 which is also declared a public holiday.

On this day in 1975, the Father of the Nation along with most of his family members, was assassinated by a section of disgruntled and ambitious army personnel. His two daughters - Sheikh Hasina, now prime minister, and Sheikh Rehana - escaped the bloodbath as they were abroad.

The national flags are lowered to half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous bodies, educational institutions, private buildings and Bangladesh missions abroad, UNB reports.

The government, ruling Awami League and associated bodies, socio-cultural organisations and professional outfits have arranged various programmes to observe this day.

Marking the day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage by placing wreaths at the portrait of the great leader in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 6:35am at Dhanmondi Road-32 in the capital, reports UNB.

After the placing of wreaths, a smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave an honour guard as bugle played 'the last post'.

The president and the prime minister, also the eldest daughter of the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, stood in solemn silence in front of the portrait for some time and offered munajat seeking eternal peace of Bangabandhu and the martyrs of August 15.

Tributes paid in Tungipara

The president and the prime minister later paid tributes to Bangabandhu at his mausoleum Tungipara in Gopalganj marking the 41th National Mourning Day and martyrdom day of the great leader, reports UNB.

Accompanied by her younger sister Sheikh Rehana, the premier then offered prayers seeking eternal peace of departed souls of Bangabandhu, Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib and other martyrs of August 15, 1975 massacre.

They also prayed for the country's continued peace, progress and prosperity.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Awami League along with the central Awami League leaders placed wreaths at his grave on behalf of the party.

Bangabandhu's wife Fazilatunnessa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell and daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal were also killed in the bloodbath, one of the most heinous in the world's history.

Sixteen more people, all close to Sheikh Mujib, were shot dead.

Bangabandhu's daughters, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana survived as they were in Germany at that time.