News Desk:
The nation has observed the National Mourning Day with due respect the 45th anniversary of the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The government, different socio-cultural, political and professional organisations, including the ruling Awami League and its associate bodies, have chalked out various programmes to mark the day maintaining social distancing due to the prevalence of coronavirus. The day is a public holiday.

His two daughters -- Sheikh Hasina, now the prime minister, and Sheikh Rehana - survived the massacre as they were abroad at that time.

Eighteen members of the family along with Bangabandhu’s wife Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, three sons -- Captain Sheikh Kamal, Lt Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell--, two daughters-in-law -- Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal --, brother Sheikh Naser, peasant leader Abdur Rob Serniabat, youth leader Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni and his wife Arzu Moni, Baby Serniabat, Sukanta Babu, Arif and Abdul Nayeem Khan Rintu were killed on a fateful night.

Bangabandhu’s Military Secretary Col Jamil Uddin Ahmad (Bir Uttam), who was later promoted posthumously to the rank of Brigadier General, was also killed during the massacre. Some members of a family at Mohammadpur in the capital were killed by artillery shells fired by the killers on the same day.

In this day, the national flag will be kept hoisted half-mast at government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, educational institutions, private buildings and Bangladesh missions abroad on Saturday.

Besides, wreaths will be placed at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the city and a munazat will be offered there at 6.30 am today.

Wreaths will also be laid at the graves of Bangabandhu’s martyred family members and other martyrs of August 15, 1975, at Banani Graveyard in the capital followed by offering fateha around 7:30 am the same day.

A munazat will also be held there seeking the salvation of the departed souls of the martyrs of Aught 15, 1975.

Tributes will also be paid to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his Mazar at Tungipara in Gopalganj district around 10 am followed by offering sura fateha and a special doa mahfil there.

A special munazat will be offered after Zohr prayers in all mosques across the country while special prayers will be arranged in temples, pagodas, churches and other worship places at a convenient time across the country.

Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes highlighting the life, struggle and achievements of the great leader while newspapers will bring out supplements on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Post Office has released a Tk 10 postage stamp, a Tk 10 opening day cover and a Tk 5 data card, commemorating the reinstatement of the studentship of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally unveiled the commemorative postage stamp, opening day coper and the data card at a ceremony at her official residence Ganobhabn on Friday.

Gallery Cosmos has organised a virtual art, photography and multimedia exhibition of 42 renowned Bangladeshi artists to observe the National Mourning Day and celebrate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages commemorating the National Mourning Day.