The nation today celebrated the 104th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children's Day in a befitting manner. 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 respected Muslim family at 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. Different political, social and cultural organisations and government bodies arranged different programmes, marking the birth anniversary and the Nation Children's Day. The programme included placing wreaths at Bangabandhu's portrait at Dhanmondi-32 in Dhaka and his mazar in Tungipara, Gopalganj, doa and milad mahfil, munajat, prayers, discussions, cultural functions, voluntary blood donations, exhibition of documentaries, drawing competitions and distribution of foods among destitute and so on.  The ruling Awami League's programme began with hoisting of national and party flags atop all party offices, including central office at Bangabandhu Avenue here, this morning. President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his birth anniversary and the National Children's Day. The president and the premier paid homage by placing wreaths at the mazar (mausoleum) of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj at about 10.38 am. President Shahabuddin first laid a wreath at Bangabandhu's mazar followed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. After placing the wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the Father of the Nation. A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Forces gave an honour guard on the occasion. Flanked by senior leaders of the ruling Awami League (AL), Sheikh Hasina, also the president of AL, placed another wreath at the grave of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's younger daughter and PM's younger sister Sheikh Rehana and other family members were present. Mohammed Shahabuddin and Sheikh Hasina also offered Fateha and joined a munajat seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu as well as other martyrs of the August 15 carnage. Cabinet members, PM's advisers, parliament members and AL senior leaders were present. The president and the prime minister signed the visitor's book kept on the mausoleum premises as well. Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road-32 in Dhaka. After placing the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the country's founding father. Prime Minister's younger sister Sheikh Rehana was present at that time.  A smartly turned out contingent drawn from Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force gave an honour guard.  A munajat was also offered there seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of the August 15 carnage. Later, flanked by senior AL leaders, Sheikh Hasina placed a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party. AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, its presidium members Dr Abdur Razzaque, Shajahan Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Advocate Quamrul Islam, Dr Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin and AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, joint general secretaries Dr Hasan Mahmud, Mahbubul Alam Hanif and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, and organising secretaries Ahmed Hossain, BM Mozammel Haque, Mirza Azam, SM Kamal Hossain and Sujit Roy Nandi were, among others, present. Later, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan paid tributes to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his portrait. Afterwards, AL's Dhaka city north and south units, Awami Jubo League, Awami Swechchhasebak League, Bangladesh Krishak League, Mahila Awami League, Jubo Mahila League, Chhatra League, Sramik League, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Bangabandhu Parishad, different political, social and cultural organisations and professional bodies placed wreaths at Bangabandhu's portrait. President Mohammed Shahabuddin today hosted a special doa and milad mahfil at Durbar Hall of Bangabhaban after Zohr prayers, marking the 104th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu. Marking the birth anniversary, the Islamic Foundation organised programmes at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in the capital. The programmes included discussion and recitation from the Holy Quran and special prayers. Munajat were offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyred family members. Special doa and munajat were also arranged at different mosques across the country after Zohr prayers. Besides, special prayers were offered at all religious institutions, including temples, churches and pagodas on the occasion. Christian community members arranged special prayers at Tejgaon Church and Mirpur Baptist Church (3/7-A Senpara Parbata, Mirpur-10), while Buddhist community members held prayers at International Buddhist Monastery at Merul Badda and Hindu community members at Dhakeshwari National Temple. The day was a public holiday. Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and other private TV channels and radio stations aired special programmes highlighting the significance of the day in the life of Bangalees while national dailies published special supplements. Bangladesh missions abroad also celebrated Bangabandhu's birth anniversary and the National Children's Day by holding different programmes. Source: BSS

The Russian House in Dhaka in cooperation with the Bangladesh Astronomical Association organized the 90th birth anniversary of Yuri Gagarin, the first cosmonaut. Under the initiative of the Russian House in Dhaka various arrangements were made for this event, including a rocket and aircraft model making workshop for kids; a magic show and a film show "Russia's History in Space".  The Director of the Russian House in Dhaka spoke about the life of Yuri Gagarin and his historic space mission. He congratulated and thanked the Bangladesh Astronomical Association and all the participants in the event. The President Mr. Zikrul Hasan and Chairman Mr. Moshurl Amin of the Bangladesh Astronomical Association thanked the Director of Russian House in Dhaka for organizing this event and expressed their involvement in future such events. At the end of the event the Director of Russian House in Dhaka, Mr. Pavel Dvoychenkov, handover the certificates among the participants.

The 121st birth anniversary of poet and litterateur Jasimuddin, widely revered as the ‘Palli Kobi’, is being observed on Monday (1st January). The poet was born on this day in 1903 at his maternal uncle’s house in Tambulkhana village in Faridpur district. Being a versatile writer, Jasimuddin is also respectfully remembered for his numerous other creative works including poems, ballads, songs, dramas, novels, stories, memoirs, travelogues and more. Two of his legendary works, ‘Nakshi Kanthar Math’ (Field of the Embroidered Quilt) and ‘Sojan Badiar Ghat’ (Gypsy Wharf) are considered two masterpieces in Bengali literature and has been globally translated. As an esteemed lyricist, Jasimuddin penned many popular Bengali songs including ‘Amar sonar moyna pakhi,’ ‘Prano shokhi re,’ ‘Amay eto raate,’ ‘Nishithe jaiyo fulobone,’ ‘Amar haar kala korlam re,’ ‘Amay bhaisaili re,’ and others. For his remarkable literary works, Jasimuddin was awarded the President’s Award for Pride of Performance in 1958, DLitt. by Rabindra Bharati University, India in 1969, Ekushey Padak in 1976 and Independence Day Award (posthumously) in 1978. In January 2018, Bangla Academy announced Jasimuddin Literary Award, a biennial award to be given for lifetime contribution to Bangla literature.

Rock Legend Ayub Bacchu's 61th Birthday is being celebrated today. On this day in 1962, He borned in Patiya, Chittagong.  The eminent singer, guitarist, composer, and music director Ayub Bachchu started his music career in 1977, with the band ‘Feelings.’  where he played as the lead guitarist alongside his most popular contemporary rockstar James, another rock legend of the country, for the next two years. In 2019, 18 October the rock Maestro died of cardiac arrest at his Moghbazar residence on only at the age of 56. In his lifetime, he recorded 28 albums, including 16 solo albums.  Also composed 500 songs including famous numbers like ‘Cholo Bodle Jai’, ‘Hashte Dekho, Gaite Dekho’, ‘Rupali Guitar’, ‘Ekhon Anek Raat’, ‘Ghum Bhanga Shahare’, ‘Darojar Opashe’, ‘Madhabi’, ‘Hawker’, ‘Meye’, ‘Tara Bhora Rate’, ‘Saare Tin Hath Mati’ and so on.

The 93rd birth anniversary of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, wife of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is being observed today in a befitting manner across the country. (Reports BSS) Bangamata, also known by her nick name Renu, was born on August 8 in 1930 at Tungipara village in Gopalganj. She was a paternal cousin of her husband Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Renu was only 8 years old when she was married to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who himself was just 18, in 1938.   Bangabandhu wrote in his autobiography “The Unfinished Memoirs” that Renu's mother died when she was five. Only her grandfather remained. He, too died when Renu was just seven years old. Then, she grew up with Bangabandhu's siblings. When Bangabandhu was just 13, he was betrothed to her. After Renu's father died, her grandfather called Bangabandhu's father and said, "I have to marry off one of my granddaughters to your eldest son because I will leave all my property to them." Renu's grandfather was Bangabandhu's paternal uncle. Bangabandhu wrote, when their marriage was fixed, he was a teenager. "I heard I got married. I did not understand anything then. " Their wedding took place in 1938. Their family life started after Bangabandhu passed the entrance exam in 1942. That year he got admitted to Islamia College, Kolkata. His political career began there. Bangamata was killed brutally along with Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members at the fateful night of August 15 in 1975. Fazilatunnesa Mujib was under house arrest during Bangladesh Liberation War until December 17, 1971. She was born to the Bengali Muslim Sheikh family in the village of Tungipara, Gopalganj. Her father’s name was Sheikh Zahurul Haque and her mother’s name was Sheikh Husne Ara Begum. She was of Iraqi Arab ancestry on both sides of family, her paternal grandfather Kashem Sheikh, was grandson of Sheikh Ekramullah, who was in turn descended from Sheikh Awwal Darwish of Baghdad, a dervish who had come to preach Islam in Bengal during the time of the later Mughal era of Bengal. Her father, Sheikh Zahurul Haque, and mother, Husne Ara Begum, died when she was three years old. Marking the birth anniversary of Sheikh Fazilatunnesa, Awami League (AL) and its associate bodies have taken programmes to pay respect to her memory. Wreaths will be placed at her grave in city’s Banani area today. Last year in an award giving ceremony, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sketched Bangmata's key-shadow role in protracted independence struggle particularly in major turning points like the six-point demand, Bangabandhu's release issue and his March 7 speech. Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh's emergence would have been impossible if Bangamata hadn't taken a bold step against proposed inclusion of two more points to the Six-Point Demand while Bangabandhu was in Pakistani military captivity during the Agartala conspiracy case. The premier said several Awami League leaders was willing to accept Bangabandhu's release on parole while the trial of the case was underway, an idea that was strongly opposed by Bangamata who wanted his unconditional release. Sheikh Hasina said if Bangabandhu had come out accepting parole conditions, no fierce mass movement would have been sparked forcing the then Pakistani junta to abandon the case, freeing the accused. Bangamata feared in that situation all the accused would have been hanged on high treason charges, if not killed in captivity like their co-accused Sergeant Zahirul Haque during the trial. If Bangabandhu got released on parole, Bangladesh would have never witnessed its independence, the premier said. While talking to BSS earlier noted academician and former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique said Bangamata had played a very crucial role in heartening Bangabandhu to pen the drafts of three invaluable autobiographic books which would always remain as precious asset in the history of Bangladesh. "We talked about Bangabandhu at different times. His speeches and statements have been preserved in different ways. But expressing his own memories in his own words is a rare one and it had been possible because of Bangamata," he said. Prof Arefin, also a noted communication expert, said Bangabandhu in his own reminiscence in the ‘Unfinished Memoirs’ also mentioned how Bangamata inspired him to write the books. He said after the independence, Bangamata had taken the initiative for the first time to rehabilitate the Biranganas (war heroines), the women who were brutally tortured and repressed by Pakistani occupational forces and their local collaborators during the Liberation War. Under the leadership of Begum Mujib, the works of rehabilitating the repressed women began at Bangabandhu’s Dhanmondi 32 residence for the first time, he mentioned.   She gathered some distinguished women of society and held meetings at Dhanmondi 32 residence to decide how to cooperate with the government and extend support to Bangabandhu in rehabilitating the group of women, he said.

Gopalganj district Awami League (AL) has taken various programmes on the occasion of the 74th birth anniversary of valiant Freedom Fighter, cultural personality Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, will be observed today in a befitting manner in the district. Sheikh Kamal was born on August 5, 1949 at Tungipara in Gopalganj, he was a former executive member of the central committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of Awami League (AL). Marking the day, District Awami League (AL) of Gopalganj will pay tributes by placing wreaths at his portrait at Sheikh Kamal Stadium in the district town around 9am. District Awami League President Mahbub Ali Khan, General Secretary GM Shahabuddin Azam, and other leaders of district Awami League and associate bodies will be present there.   Prayers will be offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Sheikh Kamal, Bangabandhu and other martyrs who had to embrace martyrdom on the fateful August 15, 1975. Later, tree saplings will be distributed on the occasion of Sheikh Kamal's birth anniversary to make the tree planting campaign a grand success. District Awami League office secretary Elias Haque said in a press release and requested all leaders and workers of AL and its associate bodies to attend the programme in time.

On the eye of the Russian Language Day and the 224th birth anniversary of the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, a tribute and literary meeting was organized by the Russian House in Dhaka in collaboration with the University of Dhaka and the Modern Language Institute of the University. The event started with the laying of wreaths on the bust of Pushkin at the Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building of Dhaka University. Honorable Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Dr. Akhtaruzzaman was present as the chief guest. Teachers and students of the Russian language course of Russian House, professor-students of different Faculties of Dhaka University, Russian citizens living in Bangladesh, Soviet and Russian Alumni and representatives of various media of Bangladesh were present during the tribute. In the second phase of the program, a literary seminar was organized at the Institute of Modern Languages (IML) of Dhaka University and it was inaugurated by the Honorable Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof. Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman. Director of the Russian House in Dhaka welcomed all the guests and said that the whole world will be celebrating Pushkin's anniversary and International Russian Language Day at the same time, mentioning Pushkin's contribution to the development of Russian and world literature. Honorable Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University discussed the life and literature of Alexander Pushkin, the greatest Russian poet of all time and the father of modern Russian language and his influence on world literature. The Vice-Chancellor of Ranada Prasad Saha University (RPSU) of Narayanganj Manindra Kumar Roy reads the essay based on Pushkin's biography. Also, Yasmin Sultana, Russian language teacher of Russian House Dhaka, and Olga Roy, associate professor of Russian language course at Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) discussed about Pushkin in Russian and Bengali languages. After the literary seminar Soviet Alumni Association, Bangladesh (SAAB) members (Syeda Jolly, Dr. Mumtaz Rahman and Jebunnahar), Students of Russian language course at Russian House in Dhaka (Md. Shamin Yasir Ovi, Tasfia Yusuf, Mir Lihan Ahmad and Mohammad Mohsin) recited Pushkin's poems in Russian and Bengali. But will it be so easy to stop Holland or assist Kevin De Bruyne, who has scored 52 goals in 51 matches this season? The true rivalry between the two arch-rivals comes to life when they face each other. Footballers also know very well how intense the battle becomes with the weight of history and prestige.

The nation is celebrating the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 103rd birth anniversary and National Children's Day in a befitting manner. 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 respected Muslim family at 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. The nation will be celebrating the day through extensive programmes with fanfare and gaiety. Bangladesh missions abroad have also chalked out elaborate programmes to celebrate the day. In observance of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will issue separate messages this afternoon The day is a public holiday. Marking the birth anniversary and the National Children's Day, the national flag will be hoisted atop all buildings of government, semi government, autonomous and private organizations as well educational institutions and Bangladesh missions abroad. To mark the day, a national children's rally and a three-day book fair will be organized. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to join the children's rally to be organized by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs as the chief guest. Different political, social and cultural organizations have also drawn elaborate programmes marking the birth anniversary. Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and other private TV channels and radio stations will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the day in the life of Bangalees.

On the occasion of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 103rd birth anniversary and National Children's Day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pays tribute at Bangabandhu's portrait at Dhanmondi 32. On Friday, March 17 at 7:05 a.m. in the morning, the Prime Minister paid her respect in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, Dhanmondi 32. First she paid tribute to Bangabandhu's portrait as Prime Minister.  Later, as Awami League president, Sheikh Hasina paid tribute to Bangabandhu's portrait with the party's top leaders. Later, various political, social and cultural organizations, including affiliated organizations of Awami League, are paying tribute to Bangabandhu's portrait.

The 73rd birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is being observed in a befitting manner today. Born on August 5, 1949 at Tungipara in Gopalganj, Sheikh Kamal was a former executive member of the central committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of Awami League (AL). Different sports and socio-cultural organizations, including the ruling Awami League, have taken elaborate programmes to observe the day. Marking the day, AL and its associate bodies paid homage to Sheikh Kamal by placing floral wreaths at his portrait on the premises of Abahani Club at Dhanmondi this morning. Wreaths were also laid at his grave at Banani Graveyard. Quran Khwani, milad and doa mahfil were also held there. Besides, Abahani Limited has chalked out day-long programmes to observe the birth anniversary of its founder Shaheed Sheikh Kamal. The directors, officials and players of Abahani Club paid tribute to Sheikh Kamal by placing wreaths at his portrait on the club premises in the early hours of Friday and offered special prayers seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of Kamal. The programmes also include day-long recitation from the Holy Quran, a virtual discussion on the life and works of Sheikh Kamal at 4 pm and doa mahfil at the club Bhaban after the Asar prayers maintaining social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic. After passing secondary examination from Shahin School and higher secondary exam from Dhaka College, Sheikh Kamal obtained his Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Social Science Department of Dhaka University. He was also a student of Setar musical department of Chayanat, a reputed cultural entity in the country. Kamal was not only the founder of Abahani Krira Chakra, one of the best sports organizations in the subcontinent and pioneer of modern football in Bangladesh, he was also a founder-member of Dhaka Theatre. He was well-known as an actor in the Dhaka University's drama arena. Since his childhood, Kamal was very much enthusiastic about different sports including football, cricket, hockey and basket-ball. Sheikh Kamal was commissioned in the Muktibahini after receiving training from the first war course in independent Bangladesh and served as ADC of General MAG Osmani, the commander-in-chief of the Liberation War in 1971. After the country's independence, Sheikh Kamal retired from the army and paid attention to the study. Kamal was a Master's (final year) examinee and a member of the Jatiya Chhatra League central committee, a wing of Bangladesh Krishak, Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL), when he embraced martyrdom on August 15 in 1975 at the age of 26. AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has urged all leaders and activists of the ruling party and its associate bodies to observe the day in a befitting manner. Source: BSS AH