Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina pays homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreath on the occasion of his historic Homecoming Day. On Tuesday, January 10 at 8:25 am, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Bangabandhu's portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi, Dhaka.  After laying the wreaths, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independent Bangladesh. 

The historic Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bangalee of all time, will be observed today across the country in a befitting manner. Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of the nation and supreme commander of the country's Liberation War, returned to the sacred soil of independent Bangladesh via London and New Delhi on January 10 in 1972, after 290 days of confinement in Pakistan jail. Awami League and its associate and like-minded organisations observe the day with various programmes every year. On the night of March 25, 1971, Pakistan army arrested Bangabandhu from his Dhanmondi residence and sent him to a West Pakistani jail the following day. Bangabandhu was subjected to inhuman torture in the Pakistan jail where he had been counting moments for the execution of his death sentence that was pronounced in a farcical trial. "I was a prisoner in the condemned cell awaiting hanging. From the day I went into jail, I didn't know whether I would be alive or not. I was mentally ready to die. But I knew Bangladesh would be liberated," Bangabandhu spoke emotionally about his ordeal in Pakistani prison at a news conference in London. About the Pakistan army's genocide on Bangalees, Bangabandhu said: "If Hitler had been alive today, he would have been ashamed." Earlier, on March 26 in 1971, Bangabandhu proclaimed independence of Bangladesh and urged people from all walks of life to participate wholeheartedly in the nation's War of Liberation. Immediately after the proclamation of independence, Bangabandhu was arrested by Pakistani military junta and then flown to West Pakistan to keep him in prison there. Though the final victory through the nine-month-long bloody War of Liberation was achieved defeating Pakistani occupation forces on December 16 in 1971, the nation's expectations were fulfilled and the people got the real taste of victory with the homecoming of Bangabandhu on January 10, 1972. On reaching Dhaka (Tejgaon) airport in the afternoon on January 10, Bangabandhu was greeted by tens of thousands of jubilant people who had been eagerly waiting to see their beloved leader since the victory on December 16 in 1971. From the airport Bangabandhu was escorted to the Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) where he addressed a spontaneous reception accorded to him by the cheerful countrymen believed to be one million. He recalled with deep respect the contribution of all during the war and urged the people to rebuild the war-ravaged country. Bangabandhu took the oath of office as the country's Prime Minister on January 12, 1972.

The 42nd homecoming day of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be observed tomorrow.   On May 17 in 1981, she returned to the country after a long exile.   Boarding on an aircraft of the Indian Airlines, Sheikh Hasina reached the then Kurmitola Airport in Dhaka from the Indian capital of New Delhi via Kolkata at 4.30pm on that day.   Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brutally killed along with most of his family members on August 15 in 1975 and his two daughters-- Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana --- luckily escaped the carnage as they stayed abroad.   In a national council session of the Awami League on February 14, 15 and 16 in 1981, Sheikh Hasina was elected as party president in her absence and then she returned to the country on May 17.   "I have returned to the country not to become a leader of the Awami League, rather to participate in the struggle for freedom by staying beside the people," said the AL president in a heart touching reception accorded by nearly 1.5 million people at the airport at that time.   She added: "I want to stay beside you as your sister, as your daughter, and as a worker of Awami League, who believes in the ideals of Bangabandhu."   On the occasion of Sheikh Hasina's homecoming day, various organisations, including the Awami League, will arrange different programmes.   Special doa and prayers will also be offered at mosques, temples, churches and pagodas to mark the day. Source: BSS AH

The historic Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bangalee of all time, was observed today (Monday) across the country in a befitting manner.   Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of the nation and supreme commander of the country's Liberation War, returned to the sacred soil of independent Bangladesh via London and New Delhi on January 10 in 1972, after 290 days of confinement in Pakistan jail.   Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee and the ruling Awami League (AL) chalked out elaborate programmes marking the day.    The day's programmes started with hoisting the National and party flags atop the AL central office, Bangabandhu Bhaban, and party offices across the country in the morning.   On the occasion, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the capital this morning.   After laying the wreath, the Prime Minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of the independence.   Later, senior AL leaders paid glowing tribute to Bangabandhu by placing another wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban.   AL Presidium Members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahmam, joint general secretaries Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, organizing secretaries Ahmed Hossain and BM Mozammel Haque, publicity and publication secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, cultural affairs secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, science and technology affairs secretary Abdus Sabur, deputy office secretary Sayem Khan and Central Working Committee members ABM Riazul Kabir Kawsar and Anwar Hossain were present on the occasion, among others.    After paying the homage, Nanak said the independence achieved through the nine-month-long bloody war was fulfilled through Bangabandhu's return to his homeland.    In absence of Bangabandhu, under the leadership of his able daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the country is moving fast towards becoming the 'Sonar Bangladesh' dreamt by Bangabandhu, he said.   Bangabandhu's Bangladesh will yield its success being established as the 'Sonar Bangla' under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the AL leader added.   Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hasan said on the 50th anniversary of Bangabandhu's return to his homeland, the holy soul of Bangabandhu is surely feeling peace as now Bangladesh has come a long way in fulfilling Bangabandhu's dream under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina.    "Bangladesh is now a middle income and food surplus country. Under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has been established as a dignified state in the world," he added.    Besides, Dhaka city north and south units of AL, Jubo League, Bangladesh Krishak League, Awami Swechchhasebak League, Mohila Awami League, Jubo Mohila League, Jatiya Sramik League, Bangladesh Chhatra League and different other organizations also placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu.   Marking the day, a discussion was held in a limited scale maintaining health guidelines at the party's Bangabandhu Avenue central office in the afternoon.   Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina addressed the discussion through a videoconferencing from her official Ganabhaban residence in Dhaka.   Besides, an AL delegation paid glowing tribute to the undisputed leader of the nation by placing wreaths at his grave in Tungipara at 11:20am today.   AL presidium member Lt Col Muhammad Faruk Khan led the delegation.   Central Working Committee member Abul Hasnat Abdullah, AL organising secretaries Abu Saeed Al Mahmud Swapan and Advocate Afzal Hossain, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua and State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury were among the delegation members.   Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee arranged a programme titled 'Father of the Nation in the Liberated Homeland (Mukto Swadeshe Jatir Pita)', which was broadcast live on all television channels, online and social media at 3pm today from Shaheed Manirul Alam Auditorium of the Bangladesh Television in Dhaka.   Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the programme virtually joining from her official residence Ganabhaban in the city.   Poems written by Sheikh Rehana, Bangabandhu's younger daughter, on her parents were recited in the function while a discussion on the significance of Bangabandhu's homecoming was also held.    Besides, all district, city, upazila, thana, union and ward level units of AL, its associate and likeminded bodies organized identical programmes coinciding with the central programme marking the day.   Marking the day, the Liberation War Affairs Ministry brought out a rally from the government transport pool premises in the city at 11am. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque led the rally.   On the night of March 25, 1971, Pakistan army arrested Bangabandhu from his Dhanmondi residence and sent him to a West Pakistani jail the following day.   Bangabandhu was subjected to inhuman torture in the Pakistan jail where he had been counting moments for the execution of his death sentence that was pronounced in a farcical trial.   "I was a prisoner in the condemned cell awaiting hanging. From the day I went into jail, I didn't know whether I was to live or not. I was mentally ready to die. But I knew Bangladesh would be liberated," Bangabandhu spoke emotionally about his ordeal in Pakistani prison at a news conference in London.   On the Pakistani army's slaughter of Bengalis, Mujib declared: "If Hitler could have been alive today, he would be ashamed."   Earlier on March 26 in 1971, Bangabandhu proclaimed independence of Bangladesh and urged people from all walks of life to participate wholeheartedly in the nation's War of Liberation.   Immediately after the proclamation of independence, Bangabandhu was arrested by Pakistani military junta and then flown to West Pakistan to keep him in prison there.   Though the final victory in the nine-month-long bloody War of Liberation was achieved defeating Pakistani occupation forces on December 16 in 1971, the nation's expectations were fulfilled and the people got the real taste of victory with the homecoming of Bangabandhu on January 10, 1972.   On reaching Dhaka (Tejgaon) airport in the afternoon on January 10, Bangabandhu was greeted by tens of thousands of jubilant people who had been eagerly waiting to see their beloved leader since the final victory on December 16 in 1971.   From airport Bangabandhu was moved to the Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) where he addressed a spontaneous reception accorded to him by the cheerful countrymen believed to be one million.   He recalled with respect the contribution of all during the war and urged the people to rebuild the war-ravaged country.   Bangabandhu took oath of office as the country's Prime Minister on January 12, 1972. Source: BSS AH

The historic Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bangalee of all time, will be observed tomorrow across the country in a befitting manner.    Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of the nation and supreme commander of the country's Liberation War, returned to the sacred soil of independent Bangladesh via London and New Delhi on January 10 in 1972, after 290 days of confinement in Pakistan jail.    President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages paying glowing tributes to the Father of the Nation on the eve of the day.     Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee has chalked out elaborate  programmes to observe the day.    A programme titled 'Father of the Nation in Independent Country (Mukto Swadeshe Jatir Pita)' will be live broadcast on all television channels,  online and social media at 3pm tomorrow from Shaheed Manirul Alam Auditorium of the Bangladesh Television in the capital.    Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will chair the programme virtually joining from her official residence Ganabhaban in the city.    Poems of Sheikh Rehana, Bangabandhu's younger daughter, written on her parents will be recited in the function while a discussion on the significance of Bangabandhu's homecoming will also be held.     Ruling Awami League (AL) has also taken various programmes to observe the historic Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur  Rahman.     The AL's programmes will begin with hoisting of the national and party flags at the AL central office, Bangabandhu Bhaban, and its party offices across the country at 6:30 am tomorrow, an AL press release said.     AL leaders and workers will pay homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban in the city's Dhanmondi area  at 8.30 am.     At 11 am, an AL delegation will pay respect to the undisputed leader of the nation by placing wreaths at his grave in Tungipara.     The AL delegation will include its presidium member Lt Col Muhammad Faruk Khan, organising secretaries Abu Saeed Al Mahmud Swapan, SM Kamal Hossain, Advocate Afzal Hossain and Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel, secretary of Finance and Planning Affairs Waseqa Ayesha Khan, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, commerce and industries secretary Md Siddiqur Rahman, and central committee members Abul Hasnat Abdullah, Advocate ABM Riazul Kabir Kawsar, Vice Principal Raymond Areng and Mohammad Sayeed Khokon.    On the occasion, a discussion will be held on a limited scale at the party's central office in the city's Bangabandhu Avenue at 3.30 pm, maintaining the health safety guidelines.    Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will address the discussion through videoconferencing from her official Ganabhaban residence.    Besides, all district, city, upazila, thana, union and ward level units of the AL, its' associate and likeminded bodies will organise similar programmes to observe the day in a befitting manner.     In a statement today, AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader urged all party leaders and workers and its associate and likeminded bodies to observe all the programmes, marking the Bangabandhu's Homecoming Day in a befitting manner, maintaining the health safety guidelines.    On the occasion, Liberation War Affairs Ministry will bring out a rally from the government transport pool premises in the city at 11am. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque will lead the rally.     On the night of March 25, 1971, Pakistan army arrested Bangabandhu from his Dhanmondi residence and sent him to a West Pakistani jail the following day.    Bangabandhu was subjected to inhuman torture in the Pakistan jail where he had been counting moments for the execution of his death sentence that was pronounced in a farcical trial.    "I was a prisoner in the condemned cell awaiting hanging. From the day I went into jail, I didn't know whether I would be alive or not. I was mentally  ready to die. But I knew Bangladesh would be liberated," Bangabandhu spoke emotionally about his ordeal in Pakistani prison at a news conference in London.    About the Pakistan army's genocide on Bangalees, Mujib said: "If Hitler had been alive today, he would have been ashamed."    Earlier, on March 26 in 1971, Bangabandhu proclaimed independence of Bangladesh and urged people from all walks of life to participate wholeheartedly in the nation's War of Liberation.     Immediately after the proclamation of independence, Bangabandhu was arrested by Pakistani military junta and then flown to West Pakistan to keep him in prison there.    Though the final victory through the nine-month-long bloody War of Liberation was achieved defeating Pakistani occupation forces on December 16  in 1971, the nation's expectations were fulfilled and the people got the real taste of victory with the homecoming of Bangabandhu on January 10, 1972.    On reaching Dhaka (Tejgaon) airport in the afternoon on January 10, Bangabandhu was greeted by tens of thousands of jubilant people who had been eagerly waiting to see their beloved leader since the victory on December 16 in 1971.    From the airport Bangabandhu was escorted to the Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan) where he addressed a spontaneous reception accorded to him  by the cheerful countrymen believed to be one million.     He recalled with deep respect the contribution of all during the war and urged the people to rebuild the war-ravaged country.    Bangabandhu took the oath of office as the country's Prime Minister on January 12, 1972. Source: BSS AH

The 41st Homecoming Day of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is being observed today recalling her returning home on May 17 in 1981 after a long exile. President Md Abdul Hamid issued a message on Sunday on the occasion. Marking the day, various organisations, including the ruling Awami League, usually arrange elaborate programmes throughout the country, but this year the day is being celebrated on a limited scale in view of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. As part of the AL’s programme, a two-day documentary exhibition titled “Sheikh Hasina’s Four Decades: Indomitable Progress of Changed Bangladesh” was inaugurated on Sunday on the premises of Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi road number 32. AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader inaugurated the exhibition joining it through a videoconference from his official residence in the capital while AL information and research affairs sub-committee arranged it. AL Advisory Council Member Dr Mashiur Rahman presided over the function virtually while Dhaka University former Vice-Chancellor and chairman of the board of directors of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique joined it virtually as the discussant. Dhaka City North unit of AL will arrange a discussion at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue at 11am today while AL’s Dhaka City South unit will arrange a doa mahfil and discussion at Mahanagar Natyamancha at 3pm. Special doa and prayers will also be offered at mosques, temples, churches and pagodas to mark the day. ‘Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale’, a docudrama bringing to life the trials and tribulations of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went through following the assassination of her father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is set to be rescreened on television channels on her homecoming day today. On May 17 in 1981, AL President Sheikh Hasina returned home after six years of exile defying different obstacles of the then government. Boarding on an aircraft of the Indian Airlines, she reached the then Kurmitola Airport in Dhaka from the Indian capital of New Delhi via Kolkata at 4.30pm on that day four decades back. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brutally killed along with most of his family members on August 15 in 1975 while his two daughters- Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana — luckily escaped the brutal assassination as they stayed abroad. In a national council session of the Awami League on February 14-16 in 1981, Sheikh Hasina was elected as party president in her absence and then she returned to the country on May 17. “I have returned to the country not to become a leader of the Awami League, rather to participate in the struggle for freedom by staying beside the people,” said the AL president in a heart touching reception accorded by nearly 1.5 million people at the airport at that time. She added: “I want to stay beside you as your sister, as your daughter, and as a worker of Awami League, who believes in the ideals of Bangabandhu.” Source: BSS AH

The 40th Homecoming Day of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is being observed on Sunday. On this day in 1981, Sheikh Hasina returned home from India after nearly six years in exile following the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members by a cabal of army officers on August 15, 1975. Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana survived as they were in Germany at the time. Hasina was elected president of Awami League in her absence in the party's national council held on February 14-16, 1981. Awami League and its associate bodies mark the day every year through various programs but this year the situation is different because of the coronavirus outbreak. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered her party to avoid political programs this year, according to a post on Awami League’s website. In a statement, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader asked the party’s activists and leaders to stay home and pray for Sheikh Hasina. He also urged the party activists, affiliate bodies and the people to follow the prime minister’s directives in the crisis moment. Source: UNB AH

The people of Bangladesh will create another milestone by gathering together and launching the countdown to start the ‘Mujib Year’ at Tejgaon Airport on Friday as January 10 marks the triumphant return of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to a liberated Bangladesh. After the arrival of Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the venue at 4:30pm, the audience will see a historic moment -- the landing of an aircraft symbolizing the homecoming of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibbur Rahman. There will be projection of light from the aircraft amid gun salute apart from symbolic reception and guard of honor. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will deliver speech formally inaugurating the Mujib Year countdown and unveiling the logo. The mega celebration marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman engaging the international community will begin on March 17, 2020. The government is giving much focus on its efforts to successfully hold a series of programs marking the ‘Mujib Year’ at home and abroad keeping global focus on Rohingya issue unchanged for their early repatriation. Some 2,000 guests and 10,000 spectators will be invited to join the program, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said on January 1. Spectators are registering their names online. The countdown clocks will be set up at 28 spots in 12 city corporations, at 53 districts and at Tungipara and Mujibnagar. Bangladesh has received a long list of global leaders to become part of a series of programs during the ‘Mujib Year’ the countdown of which begins on January 10, creating another milestone in Bangladesh history. Global guests Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr Yousef A Al-Othaimeen, former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, former Indian National Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and former Unesco Director General Irina Bokova are among the global leaders. “We want to be selective for the March 17 event. We’re in discussion to select who will be our guests on March 17,” said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen. Year-long programs Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced that March 17, 2020 to March 17, 2021 would be celebrated as the ‘Mujib Year’ across the country to mark the birth centenary of Bangabandhu. Year-long programs at home and abroad will be observed with the participation of the mass people at the government and party levels apart from engagement from Bangladesh’s foreign friends. The ‘Mujib Borsho’ will be followed by the golden jubilee celebrations of the country’s independence in 2021. Chief coordinator of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee is Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury. Dr Momen said there will be a series of events round the year with the participation of global leaders from various parts of the world. The Foreign Minister said some of the global leaders have confirmed their participation officially while some made confirmation verbally. Dr Momen said the government wants to spread the ideals of Bangabandhu across the world and Bangladesh’s 77 missions abroad have taken 261 programs, including introduction of Bangabandhu chair in a number of universities abroad and naming roads after Bangabandhu. He said Bangladesh will make its stronger presence in Pakistan having the biggest mission in size and setting up a mural of Bangabandhu there. Rebranding Bangladesh The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh will be branded anew across the world highlighting significant successes it made in the past years. “We’ll brand Bangladesh abroad positively with our achievements. It’s a land of opportunity and a vibrant economy.” He said Bangladesh is also a model of peace as Bangladesh has been resolving problems with its neighbors peacefully. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said they would put emphasis on good team work and working closely with Bangladesh missions abroad to uphold the progress across the world. “We’ve many works ahead. We’re chalking out many events.” Highlighting Bangladesh’s economic progress over the past years, the Foreign Secretary said the world now expects Bangladesh’s leadership in many areas or looks at Bangladesh for taking the leadership role. President and PM’s messages President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the occasion. “With a view to celebrating the birth centenary throughout the year both at home and abroad, the government has declared March 17, 2020 to March 17, 2021 as 'Mujib Year'. This is an extraordinary opportunity for the nation to pay deep respect and gratitude to Bangabandhu. I believe that through the celebration of Mujib Year, the young generation will be able to know the life and works of Bangabandhu and being inspired by his ideals they will be able to contribute to building Golden Bangla,” the President said in his message. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said, “We have declared 17 March 2020 to 17 March 2021 as 'Mujib Year' with a view to upholding the life and works of Bangabandhu to people, especially the next generation through this glorious celebration. In my consideration ‘Bangabandhu' belongs to all. I hope that the celebration of the birth centenary will come to a success by projecting his life and works through different programs and initiatives taken by all government, non-government offices, organizations, educational institutions as well as pro-liberation political parties and social-cultural organizations.” In her message, the Prime Minister hoped that the countdown watch and the display devices that will depict the life and works of Bangabandhu will generate huge enthusiasm among people. Source: UNB AH

Today is the 38th homecoming day of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On May 17 in 1981, she returned home after a long exile. “I have come to stay beside the people of Bangladesh. I have taken part in the struggle for freedom. I have not come to be the leader of Awami League. I want to stay beside you as your sister, as your daughter, and as a worker of Awami League, who believes in the ideals of Bangabandhu,” she told a huge mass at Manik Mia avenue on the day. These were the first public remarks of Sheikh Hasina on her return home. To mark the day, ruling Awami League (AL) and other political and social organization have chalked out elaborate programs. President M Abdul Hamid on Thursday issued a message greeting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her homecoming day. He said Sheikh Hasina started movements for restoring democracy in the country. Subsequently, the dictatorship had collapsed amid a mass movement in 90s and democracy got victory, he added. Under her leadership, Awami League (AL) won the general election on June 12 in 1996 and formed the government, Hamid said. Under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, 14-allaince has created a history by assuming the state power for the third consecutive term through December 30 polls and is running the government successfully, the President added. Despite different problems, the country is moving ahead because of Sheikh Hasina’s farsighted and strong leadership and people-oriented activities, he said. Describing the launching of country’s first satellite Bangabandhu-I as a milestone, Hamid said Sheikh Hasina has taken ‘Vision 2021’ and ‘Vision 2041′ programs to turn the country into a happy and prosperous Sonar Bangla. He said the programs taken by Sheikh Hasina to ensure democracy, development and welfare for the people are being considered as a role model in the world. President Abdul Hamid wished her and her family members long life, prosperity and continuous success of her government. He also wished all programs marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 2020 and the county’s golden jubilee in 2021 a success. A large number of people had gathered outside the Kurmitola Airport in Dhaka to receive Sheikh Hasina on the home coming day. They had come from every corner of the country and the whole thoroughfare from the Farmgate point to Kurmitola in the city was full of jubilant crowd. Earlier, Awami League in its February 14-16 council meeting in 1981 elected Sheikh Hasina as the president of the party. After a long hovering over the airport, an aircraft of Indian Airlines carrying Sheikh Hasina from New Delhi via Kolkata, touched the runway at 4:30 pm. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with his family members was brutally killed on August 15, 1975. Luckily his daughters, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, were in Germany then, and thus became the survivors. Wishing Sheikh Hasina long life and good health, AL General Secretary and Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, in a statement, said she has made huge contribution to development and well-being of the country. He urged the party leaders, activists and likeminded organizations as well as the people of the country to observe the day through various programs, including doa and milad mahfils, offering prayers at places of worship, bringing out processions and holding discussions, across the country. Marking the day, Bangladesh Awami League (AL) will hold a discussion today at the Engineers Institution’ Ramna with AL Presidium Member and Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury in the chair. Source: BSS AH

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the great leader’s Homecoming Day. The premier paid the homage by placing wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the city on Thursday morning. After laying the wreaths, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for sometime as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence. Flanked by ministers and central leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Bangladesh Awami League, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party. Later, the leaders of Awami League’s associate bodies, including Jubo League, Chhatra League, Sramik League, Mohila Awami League, Sechchhasebak League, Jubo Mohila League, Krishak League, Dhaka city AL and other socio-cultural organizations laid wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu. Bangabandhu returned to independent Bangladesh via London and New Delhi on January 10 in 1972. Since then, the nation is observing the day as the Homecoming Day of the Father of the Nation. On March 26 in 1971, Bangabandhu proclaimed independence of Bangladesh and urged people from all walks of life to participate wholeheartedly in the nation’s War of Liberation. Immediately after the proclamation of independence, Bangabandhu was arrested by Pakistani military junta and then flown to West Pakistan to keep him in prison there. The day’s programme started with hoisting of the national and party flags at the AL central office, Bangabandhu Bhaban, and party offices across the country around 6:30am. Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina is expected to chair a discussion at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in the city’s Farmgate area at 3pm Wednesday. MHK