Nation celebrating 98th birthday of Bangabandhu

Staff Correspondent: The nation is celebrating today (March 17) the 98th birthday of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a befitting manner.

Like previous years, the day is being observed as the National Children's Day as Bangabandhu liked to spend time with children on his birthday.

On this day in 1920, Bangabandhu, the spirited leader of Bangalee nation, the architect of independent Bangladesh and the greatest Bangalee of all times, was born in a greatly respected Muslim family in Tungipara village of Gopalganj sub-division, now district.

The nation is celebrating the day through extensive programmes with fanfare and merriment. The day is a public holiday.

On the eve of the day, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages greeted the nation.

In his message, Abdul Hamid said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of independent Bangladesh, always dreamt of building a happy and prosperous Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal). "We have to build our young generation as worthy citizens to materialise Bangabandhu's dream of transforming our country into 'Sonar-Bangla'," he said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said Bangabandhu was not only the leader of the Bangalee but also a forerunner in realising the rights of the oppressed and deprived masses of the world. "Let us join our hands to build a non-communal, hunger-poverty free and happy-prosperous 'Sonar Bangla' as dreamt by the Father of the Nation. On the day, this is our commitment," she said.

Awami League, its associate and likeminded bodies have chalked out elaborate programmes to celebrate the day in a befitting manner.





risingbd/March 17, 2017/Mukul