Nation observing National Mourning Day

Desk Report: The nation is observing today (Wednesday) the National Mourning Day recalling with a heavy heart Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the 43rd anniversary of his martyrdom.

The killing of Bangabandhu and most of his family members on the fateful night of August 15, 1975 is the ugliest chapter of the nation’s history.
 

The self-confessed killers of August 15 did not assassinate Bangabandhu alone, but also killed 16 other members of his family, friends and relatives.

They include his wife Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, brother Sheikh Naser, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, nephew and eminent journalist Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni, his pregnant wife Arzoo Moni and Colonel Jamil.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, escaped the planned assassination with her sister Sheikh Rehana as they were staying overseas then.

The killing of Bangabandhu, the greatest son of the soil in thousand years, descended a pall of gloom and spread a sense of deep sadness among the people in the country and across the globe.

The world protested and condemned the killing saying it is an irreparable loss to millions of people of Bangladesh.

Like previous years, the government, Awami League and different political and socio-cultural organisations, educational institutions and professional groups have chalked out elaborate programmes to pay the utmost respect to the greatest son of the soil on the day of his martyrdom.

The nation, however, started observing the month of mourning from August 1, recalling the most brutal killing in its history and renewing the pledge to safeguard perpetually the country’s independence and sovereignty.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the Day.

The government drew elaborate programmes to observe the Day with due respect and solemnity.

In the morning, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina placed wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Museum in the capital city at 6.30am.

A smartly turned out contingent of the Armed Forces gave a guard of honour to the portrait of the Bangabandhu. A special munajat and fateha also were offered there.

Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private TV channels and radio stations have taken special programmes in observance of the National Mourning Day.
 
risingbd/Dhaka/Aug 15, 2018/Mukul