The historic March 7 was observed across the country today commemorating Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s epoch-making speech of 1971 that drew the crucial strategy for an independent and sovereign state.
On March 7 in 1971, Bangabandhu delivered a momentous speech at the Race Course Maidan, now Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka, effectively declaring the War of Independence.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has included the speech in the Memory of the World International Register – a list of the world’s important documentary heritage.
The ruling Awami League and its associate bodies and other social, political and cultural organizations arranged different programmes, including hoisting national and party flags, paying homage to Bangabandhu, holding doa and milad mahfils and discussions.
On Wednesday, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages recalling the Father of the Nation and his immense courage, strong leadership and right directions that led the nation to achieve the independence of Bangladesh.
The day’s programmes of AL began with hoisting the national and party flags atop Bangabandhu Bhaban and party offices. Later, the party leaders placed wreaths at Bangabandhu’s portrait on Bangabandhu Bhaban premises.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tributes to the great leader and greatest Bengali of all time by placing wreaths at his portrait and observed sometime silence showing respect to Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the city.
Thousands of people from all walks of life thronged Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on Dhanmondi Road-32 and paid rich tributes to Bangabandhu to mark the 48th anniversary of his March 7 speech of 1971.
The organisations which placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu included Awami Juba League, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Mohila Awami League, Sramik League, Krishok League, Jubo Mohila League and Swechchasebak League.
Besides, a discussion was held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center at 3 pm with AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Islamic Foundation (IF) organized a discussion and doa and milad mahfil at its principal office in the city’s Agargaon area. IF Director General Shamim Mohammad Afzal addressed the programme as the chief guest.
A discussion was also held on the importance and significance of Bangabandhu’s historic 7 March speech at Dhaka University (DU) Teacher-Student Center (TSC) auditorium with DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman in the chair.
Earlier, the DU authorities paid homage to the architect of the country by placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu on 7 March Bhaban premises at Rokeya Hall on the campus.
A discussion was also held at Bangabandhu Academy Diploma Engineers’ Institution auditorium in the city. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque addressed the discussion as the chief guest.
National University (NU) authorities led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Harun-Or-Rashid placed floral wreath at Bangabandhu’s portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the city.
Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur also observed the day through various programmes in a befitting manner.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private television channels and radio stations aired special programmes while national dailies brought out special supplements marking the occasion.
