The historic March 7 was observed on Tuesday across the country and elsewhere in the world commemorating the landmark speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The landmark speech, which was delivered on March 7 in 1971 at a mammoth gathering at the then Ramna Race Course ground, now called the Suhrawardy Udyan, touted as an indirect declaration of the country's independence in 1971.
On October 30 in 2017, the UNESCO recognised the historic speech as part of the world's documentary heritage as the landmark fiery speech of Bangabandhu inspired the Bengalees to prepare for the War of Liberation in 1971.
It has been included in the Memory of the World International Register, a list of the world's important documentary heritage maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Marking the day, different socio-cultural and political organisations, students, professional bodies and different missions abroad organised elaborate programmes, laid wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu and held discussion meetings.
Since the dawn, leaders and workers of AL and associate bodies and other social and cultural organisations started gathering on the premises of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum with processions to pay homage to Bangabandhu. They chanted different slogans including ‘Joy Bangla’, ‘Joy Bangabandhu’ on the occasion. A festive mood was prevailing on the occasion.
On behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangabandhu’s grandson Radwan Mujib Siddiq placed wreaths at Bangabandhu’s portrait.
After laying the wreath, he stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of the independence.
Later, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader along with party leaders paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait.
Deputy Leader of the Parliament and AL Presidium Member Begum Matia Chowdhury, Presidium Members Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Shajahan Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman, Joint General Secretaries-Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Mahbubul Alam Hanif and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organising Secretaries Afjal Hossain and Sujit Roy Nandi, Publicity and Publications Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap and Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua were present, among others on the occasion.
Later, leaders and workers of Dhaka city north and south units of AL, associate and like-minded bodies and cross section of people paid homage to Bangabandhu.
Awami Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Mahila Awami League, Krishak League, Jubo Mahila League and Jatiya Sramik League leaders and workers placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu.
Apart from AL and its associate bodies, Bangabandhu Parishad, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote, Bangladesh Tanti League, Bangabandhu Sainik League, Sheikh Russel Shishu Sangha, Awami Sangskritik Forum and Muktijoddha Sanghati Parishad also paid homage on the occasion.
A discussion was arranged at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in the afternoon.
AL Presidium Member Engineer Mosharraf Hossain chaired the meeting while party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Presidium Members- Deputy Leader of the Parliament Begum Matia Chowdhury, Dr Muhammad Abdur Razzaque, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Abdur Rahman, Qamrul Islam and Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim and Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua were present on the occasion, among others.
Marking the day, Cultural Affairs Ministry arranged a discussion at Osmani Memorial auditorium in the capital Dhaka.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque addressed the discussion as the chief guest. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid chaired the discussion while Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain joined it as the special guest.
Information and Broadcasting Ministry arranged a function titled, “World Documentary Heritage Historic March 7 Speech Programme,” at Tatya Bhaban at Kakrial here in the afternoon.
Information and Broadcasting Minister, who is also AL Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud, addressed the programme as the chief guest.
Earlier in the morning on Tuesday, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md. Humayun Kabir Khandaker inaugurated a photo and book exhibition on the premises of Shikha Chirantan at the historic Suhrawardy Udyan.
Department of Films and Publications and Press Information Department arranged the exhibition.
Marking the day, a doa and munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the souls of all martyrs of August 15, 1975 including Bangabandhu at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque after Zohr prayers.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan, Islamic Foundation (IF) Director General Dr Md Bashirul Alam and IF Secretary Md Maniruzzaman and Director Muhammad Majumder were present, among others.
National flag was hoisted at all divisional and district offices of IF, its 50 Islamic missions and seven imam training academies marking the day. Doa and munajat was also offered.
Besides, Industries Ministry, Posts and Telecommunications Ministry, Foreign Affairs Ministry and other ministries also arranged different programmes.