DHAKA, Mar 15, 2021 (BSS) – The nation will celebrate the 101st birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Children’s Day-2021 on Wednesday in a befitting manner.
On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu, the undisputed 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 six offspring — two sons and four daughters — of his parents- Sheikh Lutfur Rahman and Sheikh Sayera 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 theme of this year’s birthday of Bangabandhu and National Children’s Day is “Bangabandhur Janmadin, Shishur Ridoy Hok Rangin”.
In observance of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will issue separate messages, to pay profound respects to the memory of Bangabandhu and greet the children.
Marking the day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will virtually address a programme on the occasion of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and the National Children’s Day-2021 on the premises of the mausoleum of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj at 10.30 am on the day.
The day is a public holiday.
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.
Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will arrive here on March 17 as the first of the world leaders to join the Bangladesh’s Independence golden jubilee and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth centenary celebrations. He will pay homage to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his portrait on the premises of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on March 17.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will arrive in Dhaka on March 19 on a two-day tour.
Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari will reach Dhaka on a two-day tour on March 22 and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering is scheduled to be here on March 24 and 25.
Besides, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive here on March 26 and depart Dhaka on March 27.
A 10-day special programme will begin at National Parade Ground from March 17, marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and Golden Jubilee of the Independence of the country.
Chief Coordinator of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury announced the programmes at a press conference on March 12 last.
Chowdhury informed that the events would be held between March 17 and 26 following the health guidelines as guests from both home and abroad will join the programmes.
The theme of the 10-day event is ‘Mujib Chirantan’, but separate theme for each day has been taken.
‘Vengechho Duar Esechho Jotirmoy’ is the theme of March 17 while ‘Mohakaler Torjoni’ for March 18 event, ‘Jotokal Robe Padma Jamuna’ for March 19, ‘Tarunner Alokshikha’ for March 20, ‘Dhongsostupe Jiboner Gan’ for March 21 events, ‘Banglar Mati, Amar Mati’ for March 22, ‘Nari Mukti, Sammo o Swadhinata’ for March 23, Santi, Mukti o Manobotar Agrodoot’ for March 24 events, ‘Gonohottar Kalratri o Aloker Avijatra’ for March 25 and ‘Swadhinatar Panchash Bochhor o Agrogotir Subornorekha’ for March 26.
Around 500 guests from both home and abroad will attend events at the National Parade Ground on March 17, 19, 22, 24 and 26.
All the programmes, including the March 18, 20, 21, 23 and 25 ones, will be aired on television channels, online and social media.
The chief coordinator said President Abdul Hamid will be present at the events on March 17, 22 and 26, while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on March 17, 19, 22, 24 and 26.
He said the heads of the state and heads of the government of different countries will be present at the events as guests of honour.
On March 17, Chowdhury said Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will attend the inauguration session of the 10-day event on March 17 as guest of honour, while Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will deliver the welcome speeches virtually. On March 19, he said, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will attend the event as guest of honour, while Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari will be present on March 22.
He informed that Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering will be present at the National Parade Ground on March 24, while Pope Francis will deliver the welcome address virtually. Chowdhury said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the closing day of the 10-day event on March 26 and deliver his speech.
He informed that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will deliver the welcome speech on March 18, while OIC Secretary General Dr Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen will deliver speech on March 20, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on March 22 and South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Takasi Hawarkawar Son Osamu Hawakawa on March 25. Chowdhury said the events will be held from 4.30pm to 8pm on March 17, 19, 22, 24 and 26 and the programmes of other days will be held from 5.16pm to 8pm.