The 74th birth anniversary of Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal, eldest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, was celebrated across the country on Saturday.
Sheikh Kamal was born at Tungipara village under the then Gopalganj subdivision on August 5, 1949. He embraced martyrdom on August 15, 1975 at the age of 26, along with Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of their other family members.
Although Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the main target of the August 15 carnage, his eldest son Sheikh Kamal embraced martyrdom first in the brutal attack in 1975.
When Sheikh Kamal was introduced as Bangabandhu's son, he was killed immediately through brushfire with a stengun by Major (dismissed) Bazlul Huda.
The ruling Awami League (AL), its associate bodies --- Jubo League, Swechchasebak League, Sramik League, Bangladesh Mohila Awami League, Krishak League and students wing Chhatra League and many other organisations paid rich tributes to Sheikh Kamal, also the younger brother of prime minister Sheikh Hasina with daylong programs in capital Dhaka, metropolitan cities, district towns, upazila headquarters and even union level.
Besides, divisional, district and upazila administrations also paid rich tributes to Kamal.
Wearing of black badges, people from all walks of life also placed wreaths at the portrait of Sheikh Kamal, observed one-minute silence while drawing and essay writing competitions for children were held.
Apart from them, heroic freedom fighters, AL leaders, public representatives, sociocultural and professional organisations paid also rich tribute to Sheikh Kamal by placing wreaths.
Sheikh Kamal’s birth anniversary was also observed at different Bangladesh missions abroad.
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi observed the 74th Sheikh Kamal in a befitting manner.
In observance of the day, the mission organized an elaborate programme including holding discussion, screening of documentary and offering a special prayer seeking diving blessings of Shaheed Sheikh Kamal and continued peace, progress and prosperity of Bangladesh.
The programmes began with placing of floral wreaths at the portrait of Captain Sheikh Kamal on the chancery premises by Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Md. Mustafizur Rahman.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina released a special commemorative postage stamp and a first day cover, marking Sheikh Kamal birth anniversary.
The premier unveiled the postage stamp of Taka 10, a souvenir sheet comprising three stamps of Taka 40, the first day cover of Taka 10, and a data card of Taka 5 at a ceremony at her official residence Ganabhaban this morning.
They all recalled Sheikh Kamal’s role during the liberation war when he acted as the ADC of Commander-in-chief Gen. MAG Osmani.
Though his life was cut short on the fatal night of August 15, 1975, Shaheed Sheikh Kamal left behind his significant mark as an ideal Bangali during his short lifetime, they added.
In capital Dhaka AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that BNP is a poisonous tumour in country's politics.
“BNP is a poisonous tumour and as long as this malignant tumour exists, there will be killings, conspiracies, terrorism and all kinds of unrest in the country,” he said.
The minister said this while talking to the reporters after paying tribute to Sheikh Kamal by placing a floral wreath on Kamal's grave on the occasion of his 74th birth anniversary in city's Banani graveyard.
Obaidul Quader said that the Zia family is responsible for all the bloody tragedies in this country.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud today said the 1975 assassins killed most of the Father of the Nation's family members including emerging youth Sheikh Kamal as they were afraid of not only Bangabandhu, but even his shadow.
“The killers of August 15, 1975 got afraid of not only Bangabandhu, but even his shadow. So they assassinated Father of the Nation's family members they found including intelligent youth Sheikh Kamal at that fateful night,” he said.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun today paid glowing tributes to Sheikh Kamal in the city marking his 74th birth anniversary.
Abdullah Al-Mamun, also President of Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation, showed his respect to the eldest son of Father of the Nation by placing a wreath at his portrait on the Abahani club premises in city's Dhanmondi area on behalf of the Federation this morning marking the birthday, a press release said.
In Rangpur, the 74th birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal was celebrated here.
The divisional and district administrations, Rangpur Range Police, Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RpMP), Rangpur City Corporation, Awami League, its associate bodies and many other organisations paid rich tributes to Kamal with daylong programs.
In Rajshahi, local units of Awami League and its front organizations observed the 74th birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal in Rajshahi in a befitting manner.
The District Administration arranged a discussion meeting titled “Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal: Nirmal Tarunyer Agradut” at Shilpakala Academy auditorium paying rich tribute to him.
Commissioner of Rajshahi division Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir addressed the discussion as chief guest with Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ahmed in the chair.
Prof Moloy Kumar Bhowmik from Rajshahi University gave an illustration on the life and works of Shaheed Sheikh Kamal.
Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police Rashidul Hassan and Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Saifuddin Shahin also spoke.
To mark the day, leaders and workers of the city unit of Bangladesh AL placed floral wreaths on the portraits of Shaheed Sheikh Kamal on the party office premises this morning.
They also held a discussion meeting at the party office highlighting the life and works of Sheikh Kamal.
The meeting was followed by a milad mahfil seeking blessings of the almighty Allah for eternal peace of the departed soul.
City unit president Muhammad Ali Kamal, Shafiqur Rahman, Mistaque Hossain, Ahsanul Haque, Advocate Aslam Sarker and Kamar Ullah Sarker were present on the occasion.
District unit of the party also observed the birth anniversary through elaborate programmes.
Rajshahi City Corporation observed the birth anniversary through placing floral wreaths on the portraits of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Shaheed Sheikh Kamal at the city bhaban premises.
Rajshahi University (RU) and Rajshahi Education Board administration also observed the birthday of Sheikh Kamal through milad mahfil and special prayers separately.
RU Vice-chancellor-Prof Golam Sabbir Sattar, Pro-vice-chancellors Prof Sultan-Ul-Islam and Prof Humayun Kabir and Registrar Prof Abdus Salam, among others, joined the programmes.