The government has finalised a 10-day long colourful programme to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh and the Mujib Centenary, the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
According to official sources, the programmes will be held at the National Parade Square in capital Dhaka from March 17 to 26. As part of the 10-day long programmes, two major events will be held on March 17 and on March 26.
The birthday of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is on March 17 and Independence Day is on March 26.
Concerned officials said that the programmes marking the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and the golden jubilee or the 50th year of the Independence of Bangladesh will be held with participation of many world leaders.
It is widely known that there was a 66-day long general holiday in the country due to COVID-19 pandemic since the month of March last year. That is why many big events including the inauguration ceremony of Mujib's centenary could not be held in the planned way.
However, now the nation and the people as well as the government have almost overcome the situation created due to the pandemic. The government is now determined to celebrate both the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation as well as the golden jubilee of Independence.
Officials concerned of the Foreign Ministry said, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Turkish President RecepTayyip Erdogan, Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said and many other international leaders are expected to attend the programmes.
Alongside the government, different political parties, various socio-cultural organisations and other agencies have also chalked out various programmes centring both the occasions.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said he has invited Oman's Sultan to visit Bangladesh on the occasions. He made the invitation during a telephone conversation with his Oman counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al-Busaidi on.
Besides, sources said, Bob Dylan, the lone surviving artist of the ‘Concert for Bangladesh’ which was held at Madison Square in USA during the War of Liberation, is also expected to attend the programme.
Moreover, for the foreigners who would not be able to come to Dhaka, their video messages will be collected and broadcast at various events.
According to sources, the cabinet division had sent a proposal in this regard to the Prime Minister.
According to sources in the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has agreed to organise the event. The draft plan to hold the event at the National Parade Square has also been finalised and a meeting is underway to finalize the details of the programmes.
As per the plan, the Cabinet Division, Ministry of Public Administration and Ministry of Local Government will send instructions to organise the programme centrally in Dhaka as well as in all district, upazila and city corporations across the country from March 17 to March 26 at the initiative of local administrations.
Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, the chief coordinator of the committee to celebrate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation, said it has been planned to hold 10-day long programmes continuously.
He said many important and influential as well as international level leaders are being invited to attend.
“But who will attend or not will be finalized a month ahead of the programmes, said Chowdhury.
Replying to a question, he said the issue of the arrival of Indian Prime Minister has been discussed at the top level of the two countries. However, when exactly he will come, has not been finalized as yet.
Narendra Modi was scheduled to visit Dhaka on March 17 for the birth centenary functions. The visit was, however, postponed due to COVID-19 outbreak.
Moreover, Turkish Anadolu Agency, quoting Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, on December 23 said that Turkish president RecepTayyip Erdogan might come to Dhaka on March 26, 2020 on the occasion of the ‘Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.
Referring to Erdogan’s possible visit to Bangladesh on March 26, the Turkish Minister said that it largely depends on the pandemic situation.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born on March 17 in 1920 at Tungipara of Gopalganj while the Independence of Bangladesh was announced on March 26 in 1971. After a nine-month long war against Pakistan, the Bengali nation achieved its victory on December 16 in 1971.
