Photo : Collected
The country is set to observe the historic Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in a solemn and befitting manner today.
The day marks Bangabandhu's return to the sacred soil of independent Bangladesh after 290 days of confinement in a Pakistan jail. The Homecoming Day, celebrated annually on January 10, is a significant occasion to honor the undying spirit of the country's liberation struggle.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the undisputed leader of the nation and the supreme commander of the country's Liberation War, made his triumphant return via London and New Delhi on January 10, 1972.
His arrival heralded the dawn of a new era for Bangladesh, paving the way for the establishment of an independent and sovereign nation.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages on the eve of this momentous day, paying glowing tributes to the Father of the Nation. The messages reflect the deep respect and gratitude felt by the nation towards Bangabandhu for his unparallel contributions to the struggle for independence and nation-building.
The ruling Awami League (AL) has organised various programmes to commemorate the Homecoming Day. A rally will be held at Suhrawardy Udyan at 2:30 pm, with AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presiding over the event.
The day's activities for the Awami League will kick off with the hoisting of the national and party flags at the AL central office, Bangabandhu Bhaban, and party offices nationwide at 6:30 am. AL leaders and activists will pay homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmondi-32 at 8:30 am.
Besides, in commemoration of the historic Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, all district, city, upazila, thana, union, and ward level units of the Awami League (AL), along with its associate and likeminded bodies, are set to organise various programs nationwide to observe the day in a befitting manner.
AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister, Obaidul Quader, issued a statement urging all party leaders, activists, and affiliated bodies to actively participate in the programs arranged to mark Bangabandhu's Homecoming Day.
The day holds profound significance as it marks Bangabandhu's return to independent Bangladesh after enduring 290 days of confinement in a West Pakistani jail. On the night of March 25, 1971, the Pakistan army arrested Bangabandhu from his Dhanmondi residence, leading to a harrowing period of inhuman torture and an unjust death sentence.
Reflecting on his incarceration, Bangabandhu emotionally stated in a London news conference, "I was a prisoner in the condemned cell awaiting hanging. From the day I went into jail, I didn't know whether I would be alive or not. I was mentally ready to die. But I knew Bangladesh would be liberated."
Bangabandhu, who proclaimed the independence of Bangladesh on March 26, 1971, was arrested by the Pakistani military junta immediately after the proclamation and flown to West Pakistan for imprisonment.
The long-anticipated victory in the nine-month-long War of Liberation against Pakistani occupation forces on December 16, 1971, set the stage for the real taste of victory with Bangabandhu's homecoming on January 10, 1972. Greeted by tens of thousands of jubilant people at Dhaka (Tejgaon) airport, Bangabandhu was escorted to Racecourse Maidan (now Suhrawardy Udyan), where he addressed a spontaneous reception attended by an estimated one million cheerful countrymen.
Messenger/Disha
