The National Mourning Day and 48th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was observed in this divisional city and its adjoining districts today with due respect and solemnity.
The day was observed with a fresh vow to materialize the dreams of Bangabandhu to build a 'Sonar Bangla' and to bring back the fugitive convicted killers of Bangabandhu to execute the verdict of the murder case.
The city unit of Bangladesh Awami League and its front organisations garlanded the portrait of Bangabandhu paying rich tribute to him at the Bangabandhu mural at C&B Crossing and the city unit office.
Unit president Muhammad Ali Kamal and Vice-presidents Naosher Ali, Shafiqur Rahman and Sheikh Tabibur Rahman, among others, were present on the occasion.
Afterwards, they took out a large mourning procession and paraded the main city streets.
Rajshahi City Corporation paid rich tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing floral wreaths at Bangabandhu Mural and different other programmes.
General Secretary of Workers Party of Bangladesh Fazley Hossain Badsha, MP, paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at the Bangabandhu mural in the city.
At 8:30am, the district judgeship, bar association and public prosecutors jointly took out a mourning procession and paraded the district judge court premises followed by a brief discussion.
At 9:30 am, the district administration brought out a mourning procession from the premises of Shaheed AHM Kamaruzzaman Central Zoo and Park. The rally ended at Shilpakala Academy Auditorium where a discussion and Doa Mahfil was held.
Divisional Commissioner Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir, Deputy Inspector General of Police Anisur Rahman, Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Biplab Bijoy Talukder and Superintendent of Police Saifur Rahman addressed the meeting with Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ahmed in the chair.
Former Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation Advocate Abdul Hadi addressed the meeting as a focal person illustrating the life and works of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with his supreme and heroic contribution to the nation.
On the occasion, children-winners in different competitions were given prizes.
Various government and non-government organisations, political parties, socio-cultural organisations and educational institutions, including Rajshahi University (RU), Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) and Rajshahi Medical University observed the mournful day in a befitting manner.
A large number of people including government and non-government officials, freedom fighters, political leaders and socio-cultural activists were present at the meeting.
Local units of Bangladesh Awami League hoisted the party flags at half-mast at its office premises in the morning and placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Various organisations, including Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, district unit of Bangabandhu Parishad, Swadhinota Chikitsok and Ila Mitra Sangskritik Sangha garlanded the portrait of Father of the Nation located on city bhaban premises.
Marking the day, child artists of Ila Mitra Sangha rendered songs highlighting the life and works of Bangabandhu.
Discussion on the life and works of Bangabandhu was also arranged at all schools, colleges, madrasas and special milad mehfils and prayers were held at all religious institutions.
Improved diets were served to inmates of Rajshahi Medical College Hospital and other hospitals, Rajshahi Central Jail, orphanages, Shishu paribars and vagabond centres. Painting competitions, essay writing, hamd and nath, recitation of poems and discussion meetings focusing on Bangabandhu and true national history were arranged at the Shishu Academy.
The upazila administration and upazila units of AL and its front organisations and Muktijoddha Sangsad have also arranged daylong programmes to observe the day.
