Marking the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh’s first government on April 17, 1971, the historic Mujibnagar Day is being observed today (17 April).
The day began with hoisting the national flag and placing wreaths at Mujibnagar Liberation War Memorial in Meherpur.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of historic Mujibnagar Day.
The premier paid glowing tributes to the Father of the Nation by placing a wreath at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi 32 in the capital Wednesday (17 April) morning.
The ruling Awami League (AL) has drawn up extensive programme on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day.
Marking the day, the programmes include hoisting of national and party flags atop Bangabandhu Bhaban, the party's central and its all offices including district offices at 6am and placing of wreaths at the portrait of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Bangabandhu Bhaban premises at Dhanmondi at 7am.
Several programmes have also been set at at Mujibnagar. Those include hoisting of national and party flags at 6 am, laying of wreaths at the memorial at 9:30 am and giving guard of honor at 9:45 am.
A public rally is set to be held at Sheikh Hasina Mancha at Mujibnagar around 10 am where Awami League (AL) Presidium Member Kazi Zafar Ullah will join the rally as the chief guest.
Senior leaders of Awami League assembled at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur on April 17 to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh following the Pakistan army's genocide on unarmed Bangalees on the black night of March 25 in 1971.
Baidyanathtala, mainly a mango orchard, was later named Mujibnagar after ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared the first president of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, while Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed as the acting president in absence of Bangabandhu.
Tajuddin Ahmed was appointed as the first prime minister, while Khondoker Moshtaque Ahmed, Capt M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamaruzzaman were named as cabinet members.
The interim government named General MAG Osmani as commander-in-chief of Mukti Bahini while appointed Major General Abdur Rab as chief of staff.
The provisional government gave successful leadership to the War of Liberation for achieving victory on December 16.
Marking the day, newspapers have publish special supplements while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and private TV channels are airing different programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
