ZCZC
BSS-30
CELEBRATION-CENTENARY-INDEPENDENCE
Nation celebrates Bangabandhu Birth Centenary, Independence Golden Jubilee 3rd day programmes
DHAKA, March 19, 2021 (BSS) – The nation today celebrated the third day of the ten-day programme of the Birth Centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and golden jubilee of the Independence with the theme ‘Jotokal Robe Padma Jamuna’.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the function at the national parade square while visiting Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa joined the event as the guest of honour.
At the colourful function, the national anthem was sung in sign language by students of the Govt School for Deaf and Hearing Impaired, Mirpur.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey V Lavrov sent a congratulatory message on the function where verses of the Holy Quran and scripts of followers of other faiths were recited.
Title animation video on the theme of the 10-day programme ‘Mujib Chirantan’ was played elucidating the life, courage, heroism and achievements of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Presentation of video footages of Bangabandhu’s historic addresses and comments were displayed at the function where national-level singers along with young artistes sang the Mujib Year’s theme song titled “Tumi Banglar Dhrubo Tara and Banglar Batighar” authored by poet Kamal Chowdhury and composed by Nakib Khan.
Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana also joined the chorus.
Apart from the Bangladesh Prime Minister, the Sri Lankan Prime Minister, State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid and Educationist Professor Syed Manjurul Islam were present on the decorated dais.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid gave the welcome speech, while eminent anchor Nobonita Chowdhury conducted the function.
In his speech, KM Khalid said Bangabandhu fought all his life to alleviate the miseries of the people and he was the inspiration of the country’s Liberation War.
“The misery of the common people of the country touched Bangabandh’s tender heart. So, he decided to bring smile on the faces of the people. He always fought for the soil and people of the country. He overcame thousands of storms and brought freedom which was cherished by the Bengali for thousands of years,” he added.
After the welcome address, eminent writer and educationist Professor Syed Manjurul Islam took part at the discussion on the theme.
Professor Syed Manjurul Islam said Bangladesh will move forward on the way shown by Bangabandhu and the doors of impossibility will open one by one.
Chief Coordinator of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Birth Centenary Celebration National Implementation Committee Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury presented “Sraddha Swarak” (souvenir of tributes) to the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Earlier, Guest of Honour Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa reached the venue and was received by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
A recorded video of the eye-catching flying past of the Bangladesh Air Force was showed, after that an audiovisual presentation based on the theme ‘Jotokal Robe Padma Jamuna’ was played.
The first session of the function was concluded with the speech of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
At the cultural function part, a recorded cultural function of friendly country Sri Lanka was played. The other programmes were video animation on ‘Mujib Chirantan’, video animation based on the theme, poetry recitation, folk song on Bangabandhu and Bangladesh, dance-drama, song of Sandhya Mukherjee and a chorus song by two generations of artistes.
Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sahrmin Chaudhury, cabinet ministers, parliament members, foreign diplomats and other dignitaries were present at the opening function.
The nation on Wednesday began the 10-day celebration of the Father of the Nation’s Birth Centenary coinciding with the Golden Jubilee of 1971 Independence with a grand ceremony at the National Parade Square.
President M Abdul Hamid attended the inaugural programme as the chief guest, while Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih joined it as the guest of honour.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the function, while Bangabandhu’s younger daughter Sheikh Rehana was present on the dais.
The recorded speeches of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Japanese Premier Yoshihide Suga and famous British journalist Mark Talley were broadcast on the occasion.
The events will be held till March 26 with the main theme of the 10-day event ‘Mujib Chirantan’ while each day will be celebrated with separate themes.
‘Vengechho Duar Esechho Jotirmoy’ is the theme of March 17, ‘Mohakaler Torjoni’ for March 18, ‘Jotokal Robe Padma Jamuna’ for March 19, ‘Tarunner Alokshikha’ for March 20, ‘Dhongsostupe Jiboner Gan’ for March 21, ‘BanglarMati, 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.
Five hundred guests from home and abroad were invited to join each day’s functions at the Parade Ground on March 17, 19, 22, 24 and 26 following the health guidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Major streets and key points across the country have been illuminated with colourful lights as part of the festival while the television channels including the state-run BTV are telecasting the 10-day programmes live on March 17, March 18, 20, 21, 23 and 25, alongside their streaming online and social media in view of the current situation of Covid-19.
President Abdul Hamid is participating on March 17, 22 and 26 and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on March 17, 19, 22, 24 and 26 programmes at the Parade Ground.
The events are being held from 4.30pm to 8pm on March 17, 19, 22, 24 and 26 and the programmes of other days are being held from 5.15 pm to 8pm.
The heads of the state and the government of different countries are joining at the events as guests of honour.
Video messages of the OIC Secretary General Dr Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen and French Senator and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group for South East Asia Madame Jacqueline Deromedi will be played tomorrow.
Nepalese President Bidhya Devi Bhandari will be present on March 22 as the guest of honour.
Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering will be present at the National Parade Ground on March 24, while a video message of Pope Francis will be played.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the closing day of the 10-day event on March 26 and deliver his speech.
BSS/ASG/KUC/KU/1914 HRS