The nation is set to celebrate the 103rd birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children's Day 2023 on Friday 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 celebrate the day through extensive programmes with fanfare and gaiety.
Bangladesh missions abroad have also chalked out elaborate programmes to celebrate the day.
The day is a public holiday.
President, PM pay tribute to Bangabandhu
President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid glowing tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking the late leader's 103rd birth anniversary and the National Children's Day.
"On the occasion of the 103rd birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, I pay my deep homage to this great leader," the head of the state said in a message on the eve of the day.
"He led the nation in every democratic and freedom movement including All-party State Language Action Committee formed in 1948, the Language Movement in 1952, Jukta-Front Election in 1954, movement against Martial Law in 1958, Six-Point Movement in 1966, Mass Upsurge in 1969 and the General Elections in 1970 for attaining the freedom and rights of our people," Abdul Hamid said.
"He was sent to jail several times and had to bear inhuman suffering for his active participation in those movements."
But Bangabandhu never compromised with the Pakistani rulers on the question of establishing the rights of Bangalees, he said.
The president said Bangabandhu is the source of eternal inspiration to the Bengali nation.
"In politics, Bangabandhu appeared as a symbol of principle and ideals. If you want to know Bangladesh, you have to know about the struggle for freedom and the Liberation War of Bangalees, you have to know Bangabandhu," he said.
"Let the nation move forward on the path of building a prosperous Bangladesh free from hunger and poverty by embracing the spirit of the Liberation War and the ideology of the Father of the Nation, let it anchor in Bangabandhu's 'Sonar Bangla'," he added.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "On the occasion of the 103rd birth anniversary of the greatest Bangalee of all time, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, I pay my deepest respect to his [Bangabandhu's] memory."
Besides, on the occasion of the National Children's Day 2023, she extended her best wishes to all the children of the country and the countrymen.
Along with paying tribute to the Father of the Nation on National Children's Day, the main goal of the government is to make the children of this country worthy citizens by following the life and ideals of the great leader, she said.
"Our children will be the charioteer to fulfil the dream of Smart Bangladesh by 2041. We all, irrespective of caste, creed and religion, need to work together to instil patriotism in children, build their personality, develop creativity and raise or boost their self-confidence."
Sheikh Hasina wished a bright future for tomorrow's children and youth.
"Let us dedicate our present time to the beautiful future and welfare of the children and together build the golden Bangladesh as dreamt by the Father of the Nation," she said.
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 organisations as well as educational institutions and Bangladesh missions abroad.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will pay tribute to Father of the Nation by placing wreaths at Bangabandhu's mausoleum in Tungipara of Gopalganj.
To mark the day, a national children's rally and a three-day book fair will be organised. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to join the children's rally to be organised by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs as the chief guest.
AL takes elaborate programmes
Different political, including Awami League, social and cultural organisations have also drawn elaborate programmes marking the birth anniversary.
On the occasion, the national flag and the party flag will be hoisted atop Bangabandhu Bhaban, the Awami League central office in Dhaka and the party’s all offices across the country at 6:30am Friday, read a press release.
The party will place a wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi-32 in Dhaka at 7am.
Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with the party's central leaders will pay homage to Bangabandhu at the mausoleum of Father of the Nation in Tungipara at 10am.
A discussion will be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka at 4pm. Awami League President Sheikh Hasina will preside over the meeting.
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.
