Soumitra dev

17 march. The day is a public holiday. The nation is celebrating the 99th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman through extensive programmes, fanfare and gaiety.

Since the re-assumption of state power in 1996, Awami League has been observing the day as the National Children's Day as Bangabandhu liked to spend time with children on his birthday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this morning paid rich tributes to the Father of the Nation, heralding the nationwide programmes on the occasion of the 99th birthday of the great leader.

The premier paid the homage by placing a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 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 the Father of the Nation.

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

Later, flanked by the central party leaders of Awami League, Sheikh Hasina laid another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party as the president of Bangladesh Awami League.

Later, Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sayeed Khokan, leaders of associate bodies of Awami League and other sociocultural organisations placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu.

President M Abdul Hamid and the prime minister will also lay wreaths at the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj this morning and will join a milad and doa mahfil.

A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force will give a guard of honour on the occasion.

Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend a children's rally, book fair and cultural event to be organised on the premises of Bangabandhu Mausoleum.

The premier will release memorial postal stamp in memory of Sheikh Russel, unveil the book of 'Amader Chhoto Russel Shona', distribute sewing machines and enjoy the video exhibition titled 'Uthbo Jege, Chutbo Bege'.

The ruling Awami League (AL) and its associate bodies have chalked out a different programmes in observance of the day.

The programmes include hoisting of national and party flags atop of their offices and placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road-32 in the capital.

Milad and doa mahfils will be organised at mosques while prayer sessions will also be arranged at other places of worship across the country seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and his family members.

Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and other private TV channels and radio stations are airing special programmes highlighting the significance of the day in the life of Bangalees. The national dailies have brought out special supplements on the occasion.

AL's associate and likeminded bodies and other socio-cultural professional organisations including Awami Juba League, Awami Swechchasebak League, Jatiya Sramik League, Mahila Awami League, Juba Mahila League, Krishak League and Chhatra League have also drawn up extensive programmes to mark the day.

Apart from national programmes, children's gatherings, public rallies, discussions and cultural functions are being organised at district and upazila levels.

Bangladesh missions abroad have also chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.

On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu, the vivacious leader of the Bangalee nation, the architect of independent Bangladesh and the greatest Bangalee of all times, was born in a greatly respected Muslim family in Tungipara village of Gopalganj sub-division, now district. He was the third among four daughters and two sons of his parents - Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and Saira Khatun.

At the age of seven, Sheikh Mujib was admitted to nearby Gimadanga Government Primary School and later he studied in Madaripur Islamia High School, Gopalganj Government Pilot School and Gopalganj Mission School.

While studying at the secondary level he was attacked by beriberi disease and had to undergo treatment in Calcutta. As a result, there was a gap in his studies for few years. After passing the Matriculation examination in 1942, Sheikh Mujib was admitted to Islamia College in Calcutta having residential accommodation in famous Baker Hostel. He passed the BA examinations in 1946.

He was elected general secretary of Islamia College Students' Union. During his hostel days, when the 'quit India' movement was gaining momentum against the British domination, he came in touch with the legendary politicians like Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy and Abul Hashim. That was also a turning point in his long political career to pursue politics of secularism and patriotism.

After partition of the sub-continent, Sheikh Mujib chose Dhaka as the centre of his political activities and took admission in the Law Department of Dhaka University.