A 10-day colourful and special programme with the theme of ‘Mujib Chirontan’ begins today (Wednesday) to celebrate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.
As part of the programmes, two major events will be held today (March 17) and on March 26 at the National Parade Square in capital Dhaka.
The programmes are beginning today through the celebration of the birthday as well as the birth centenary Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and it will be concluded through the celebration of the Independence Day of Bangladesh on March 26.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born on March 17 in 1920 at Tungipara of Gopalganj while the Independence of the Bangladesh was announced 50 years ago on March 26 in 1971. After a nine-month war against Pakistan, the Bengali nation achieved its victory on December 16 in 1971.
The programmes marking Bangabandhu’s birth centenary and golden jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh are going to be celebrated in participation with 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 major events, including the inauguration ceremony of Mujib's birth centenary could not be held in the planned way.
However, now the nation and the people of the country as well as the government have almost overcome the situation, the government is determined to celebrate both the programmes with due respects and festivities.
Alongside the government, different political parties, various socio-cultural organisations and other agencies have also chalked out various programmes centring both the occasions.
According to sources, the programmes will be held by maintaining health safety guidelines amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, chief coordinator of the committee to celebrate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, said that it has been planned to hold 10-day continuously programmes.
He said, “All the preparations have been completed as per the directives of the prime minister to arrange the 10-day programme with the theme of “Mujib Chirontan” on the occasion of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary today and the golden jubilee of the Independence on 26 March.”
Among the programmes, there will be separate theme-based discussions, cultural programmes, audio-visuals and other presentations to pay tribute to Bangabandhu every day, he added.
President Abdul Hamid will be present on 17, 22 and 26 March, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 17, 19, 22, 24 and 26 March, said Naser.
Presidents and heads of the governments of different countries will be present as guests of honour at the programmes on 17, 19, 22, 24 and 26 March.
President of the Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will be present at the programme as the guest of honour on 17 March, while Sri Lanka’s prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on 19 March, president of Nepal, Bidya Devi Bhandari on 22 March, prime minister of Bhutan, Lotay Tshering on 24 March and prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi on 26 March.
Besides, recorded speeches from presidents and heads of government of different countries, chiefs of international organisations and prominent persons will be screened in the events of other five days.
Television channels, online media and social media will broadcast the programmes live every day, said Naser.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Canadian rime minister Justin Trudeau will deliver a welcome speech at the programme on 17 March, while Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen on 18 March, OIC secretary general Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen on 20 March, Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga on 22 March, Pope Francis on 24 March, South Korean prime minister Chung Sye-kyun and Japanese friend of Bangladesh, Takashi Hayakawa’s son Osamu Hayakawa on 25 March.
The programme will begin at 4:30pm and conclude at 8:00pm on 17, 19, 22, 24 and 26 March. On the other five days, programmes will start at 5:16pm and end at 8:00pm.
About 500 guests from home and abroad will be invited to the National Parade Ground event. The invitees will attend the programme in-person for four days, while the events of the other six days will be broadcast live.
Special arrangements will be made for the heads of state and governments attending the celebrations.
