Historic Mujibnagar Day was observed on Wednesday in a befitting manner highlighting the oath-taking ceremony of the country鈥檚 first government on April 17, 1971.
The programmes included hoisting the national flag, discussion, paying homage to Sheikh Mujib, giving guard of honour and passing out parades.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina paid glowing tributes to the founding president of the country, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, by placing a wreath at his portrait at Dhanmondi 32, marking historic Mujibnagar Day.
She placed the wreath at the portrait of Sheikh Mujib in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 7:00am in the morning.
After laying the wreath, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for a few minutes as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Mujib, the architect of Bangladesh鈥檚 independence.
Later, flanked by senior leaders of her party, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of the ruling Awami League, placed another wreath at the portrait of Sheikh Mujib as the party chief.
Bangladesh Sangbad Sangtha reported that Mujibnagar Day was observed in Meherpur on Wednesday with a pledge to let the new generation know the history of the War of Independence.
The national flag was hoisted in front of Sheikh Hasina Mancha at Mujibnagar Amrakanon at about 9.30am.
A discussion was organised by the Bangladesh Awami League in association with the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and the district administration.
Awami League joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim presided over the discussion while the party presidium member, Kazi Zafar Ullah, addressed it as the chief guest.
Conducted by Awami League organising secretary BM Mozammel Haque, the discussion was addressed, among others, by Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, public administration minister Farhad Hossain, Rajshahi City Corporation mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Simeen Hossain Rimi, AL joint general secretary Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif and organising secretary lawmaker SM Kamal Hossain, and central working committee member lawyer Afzal Hossain.
A one-minute silence was observed and prayers were offered seeking eternal peace of the martyrs.
Earlier, president Mohammed Shahabuddin and prime minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on Tuesday, greeting the countrymen.
Following the Pakistan army鈥檚 genocide on unarmed Bangalees on the night of March 25, 1971, senior leaders of the Awami League assembled at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur on April 17 to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh.
Baidyanathtala, mainly a mango orchard, was later named Mujibnagar after ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared the first president of the People鈥檚 Republic of Bangladesh, while Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed the acting president in the absence of Sheikh Mujib.
Tajuddin Ahmed was appointed as the first prime minister, while Capt M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamaruzzaman were named as cabinet members.
The government named general MAG Osmani as commander-in-chief of Mukti Bahini while it appointed Major General Abdur Rob as chief of staff.
The provisional government gave successful leadership in the War of Independence for achieving victory on December 16.
On the occasion, newspapers published special supplements while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and private TV channels aired different programmes highlighting significance of the day.
