DHAKA, March 8, 2020 (BSS) – The “Mujib Year” programmes marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have been rearranged due to the prevailing situation across the world caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
The decision was taken at a joint meeting of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Birth Centenary Celebration National Committee and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee.
President of the national committee and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina chaired the meeting held at Ganabhaban here tonight.
Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana and other members of the two committees were present at the meeting.
“We’ll hold the Mujib Year programmes by making rearrangements, and we’ll conduct the programmes across the country accordingly,” Chief Coordinator of the national implementation committee Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury told a news briefing at the International Mother Language Institute here.
He said the grand inaugural ceremony of the birth centenary celebrations scheduled for March 17 next at the National Parade Ground will be held later due to the prevailing situation across the globe due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Other programmes will also be observed avoiding massive public gatherings, Dr Chowdhury said.
He said the year-long programmes marking birth centenary of the Father of the Nation will be held from March 17, 2020 to March 26, 2021.
“No programme has been postponed,” he said.
Chowdhury said but the present overall global situation and public interest and wellbeing have been taken into consideration. “That’s why we will celebrate the programmes by making rearrangements,” he said.
He said: “We’ve drawn up the year-long programmes to celebrate the Bangabandhu’s birth centenary. But a decision has been taken to hold the March 17 inaugural function in Dhaka and other programmes across the country by avoiding massive public gatherings.”
Chowdhury said the programmes at Dhanmondi 32 in the capital and Tungipara in Gopalganj will be held as usual.
Doa mahfil will be held across the country, but other programmes including those at the educational institutions will be organised on the limited scale.
Chowdhury said Bangabandhu pursued politics throughout his life for the welfare of the people and he worked for the wellbeing of the people.
“So this decision has been taken by considering the overall situation across the world caused by the coronavirus outbreak,” he said.