Mujibnagar Day observed with pledge to project history of Independence War to new generation

The historic Mujibnagar Day was observed on Wednesday in a befitting manner with a pledge to let the new generation know the history of the Independence War highlighting the oath-taking ceremony of the countrys first government on April 17 in 1971.

The days programme included hoisting national flag, discussion, paying homage to Bangabandhu, presenting guard of honour and passing out parade.

Marking the day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at his portrait at Dhanmondi 32 here marking the historic Mujibnagar Day.
She placed the wreath at the portrait of the Father of the Nation in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 7 in the morning.

After laying the wreath, the PM stood in solemn silence for some times as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of Bangladeshs independence.

Later, flanked by senior leaders of her party, Sheikh Hasina, also the President of Awami League (AL), placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu as the party chief.

On this day in 1971, Bangladeshs first government in exile was formed at the Baidyanathtala mango orchard in Meherpur, under the then Kushtia district.

The place was later renamed Mujibnagar as a tribute to Bangabandhu who was declared president of the government-in-exile.
Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.

Bangabandhu was arrested and taken to West Pakistan after the Pakistani military regime launched a brutal crackdown on the night of March 25, 1971.

Tajuddin Ahmad was appointed the first prime minister, while Captain M Mansur Ali and AHM Quamaruzzaman were made cabinet members.

The successful leadership of the core cabinet steered the Liberation War to victory on December 16 of that year.

While talking to media after paying tributes to the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32 on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader termed the BNP as an anti-freedom terrorist evil force.

He said that all such evil forces including the BNP will be resisted. "We will defeat those who stand in the way of consolidating our victory. Lets take our struggle forward."

Leaders and activists of Awami Leagues affiliates and fraternal organizations paid tribute to Bangabandhus portrait.
Central leaders of the Awami League were present at this time.

Our correspondent from Meherpur reports that the historic Mujibnagar Day was observed in Maherpur with a pledge to let the new generation know the history of the Independence War.

National flag was hoisted in front of Sheikh Hasina Manch in Mujibnagar Amrakanon at around 9.30am.

Later, a discussion was organized by Bangladesh Awami League in association with the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs and district administration.

Awami League joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim presided over the discussion while AL presidium member Kazi Zafar Ullah addressed it as the chief guest.

Conducted by AL Organizing Secretary BM Mozammel Haque, the discussion was addressed by Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, Public Administration Minister Farhad Hossain, Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Simeen Hossain Rimi, joint general secretary Mahbub Ul Alam Hanif and organizing secretary SM Kamal Hossain and Afzal Hossain, among others.

A one-minute silence was observed and doa was offered seeking eternal peace of the martyrs.

Earlier, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on Tuesday, greeting the countrymen.

On the occasion, Meherpur turned into the capital of the provisional government and from that day, the place became familiar as Mujibnagar, Sheikh Hasina added in the message.

Following the Pakistan armys genocide on unarmed Bengalis on the black night of March 25 in 1971, senior leaders of Awami League assembled at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur on April 17 to form the provisional government of independent Bangladesh.

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 Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, while Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed the acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.

Tajuddin Ahmed was appointed as the first prime minister, while Capt M Mansur Ali and AHM Qamaruzzaman were named as cabinet members. The government named General MAG Osmani as Commander-in-Chief of Mukti Bahini while it appointed Major General Abdur Rob as chief of staff.

The provisional government gave successful leadership to the War of Liberation for achieving victory on December 16.

On the occasion, newspapers published special supplements while Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television and private TV channels aired different programmes highlighting significance of the day.