Sheikh Russel Day today

The first ever ‘Sheikh Russel Day’ is being observed in the country today (Oct 18), marking the 58th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's youngest son Shaheed Sheikh Russel.

Sheikh Russel, also the youngest brother of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was born on October 18 in 1964 at the historic Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi 32 no road in the city.

But he was brutally killed along with most of his family members, including his father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on August 15, 1975 when he was a student of class four at University Laboratory School.

The Cabinet Division this year declared October 18, the birthday of Sheikh Russel, as Sheikh Russel Day under the category "Ka".

To mark the day, government bodies, ruling Awami League and its associate bodies, and different socio-cultural organizations have taken various programmes to observe the day at national and international levels.

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division has taken elaborate programmes, including placing wreaths at Sheikh Russel's grave and portraits, launching 'Sheikh Russel Gold Medal', quiz competition, laptop distribution and discussions, to observe the day.

On the day, 10 people, including children with special needs, will be awarded the 'Sheikh Russel Gold Medal' for their outstanding contribution to the fields of education, fine arts, literacy and culture, sports, science and technology.

Besides, a total of 20 laptops will be distributed among the gold medal awardees and winners of the quiz contest while a total of 4,000 laptops will be distributed across the country on the day.

Besides, the division will organize a national seminar titled "Sheikh Russel Deepta Joyullas (Sheikh Russel radiant joy, indomitable confidence)" at 3pm and a concert titled "Concert for Peace and Justice" at 6pm at the BICC on the day.

Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq will join the concert as the chief guest.

Besides, the Bangladesh Shishu Academy will organize a book exhibition on Bangabandhu and Liberation War. Wreaths will be placed at portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 10:30am while children's film will be screened at Shishu Academy Auditorium at 12noon.

A milad and doa mahfil will be organized at Shishu Academy Mosque at 1.45pm while a photo exhibition will be arranged at Sheikh Russel Gallery of the academy at 2pm.