DHAKA: The National Mourning Day, commemorating the 43rd anniversary of Bangabandhu’s tragic assassination, will be observed across the country on Wednesday (Aug 15).

Bangabandhu was assassinated in a military putsch on August 15, 1975, along with most of his family members. The predawn attacks left a total of 24 people killed.

The victims also include Bangabandhu's wife Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and nine-year-old Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Parveen Jamal, brother Sheikh Naser, nephew Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni and his wife Begum Arju Moni, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, 13-year-old Baby Serniabat, Serniabat's son Arif and four-year-old grandson Babu, three guests, Bangabandhu's four domestic helps, and his security chief Col Jamil Uddin Ahmed.

Bangabandhu’s two daughters -- Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana -- could escape the bloodbath as they were abroad at the time.

Like previous years, the government, Awami League and different political and socio-cultural organisations, educational institutions and professional groups chalked out elaborate programmes to pay the utmost respect to the greatest son of the soil on the day of his martyrdom. 

The nation, however, started observing the month of mourning from August 1, recalling the most brutal killing in its history and renewing the pledge to safeguard perpetually the country's independence and sovereignty. 

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the Day.

The government drew elaborate programmes to observe the Day with due respect and solemnity. As part of the programme the national flag will fly half-mast atop the offices of all government, semi-government and autonomous bodies and educational institutions on the day.

In the morning, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Museum in the capital city at 6.30am.

A smartly turned out contingent of the Armed Forces will give a guard of honour to the portrait of the Bangabandhu. A special munajat and fateha also will be offered there.

Later in the morning, Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths and offer fateha at the Banani graveyard for the family members of the father of the nation and others, who embraced martyrdom with Bangabandhu on August 15, 1975.

Later, people from all walks of life with wearing black badges will throng the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum to pay their profound homage to Father of the Nation by placing wreaths at his portrait there.

In the morning, prime minister will also place wreath at the mazar of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj. Fateha will be offered and the armed forces will again stage a guard of honour there. A special milad mahfil and dua will be held there on the day.

Bangladesh missions abroad will arrange discussions with hoisting the national flag half-mast atop their respective offices.

Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private TV channels and radio stations will take special programmes marking the National Mourning Day. National and regional newspapers will bring out special supplements on the occasion.

Shishu Academy, Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and many other educational institutions will organise discussions on Bangabandhu’s life and works.

Different institutions, socio-cultural organisations and people from all walks of life will place wreaths at Tungipara and at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Road no-32, Dhanmondi, and will hold doa mahfils and discussions there.

AL will distribute special foods among the poor, destitute and orphanages. The party will hold milad mahfil and offer doa at Bangabandhu Bhaban after Asr prayers on August 15.

AL will also organize a discussion meeting at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) at 4 pm on August 16.

Besides, special prayers will be offered at all mosques across the country seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and his deceased family members.

BDST: 2156 HRS, AUG 14, 2018

AP/SMS