Historic Mujibnagar Day will be observed today, marking the oath-taking ceremony of the country鈥檚 first government on April 17, 1971.
The day has been observed as a public holiday at Mujibnagar in Meherpur since 2022.
Government, political, and socio-cultural organisations have chalked out different programmes to mark the day.
Following the Pakistan army鈥檚 genocide of unarmed Bangalees on the night of March 25, 1971, senior leaders of the Awami League assembled at Baidyanathtala in Meherpur on April 17 to form the provisional government for independent Bangladesh.
Baidyanathtala, mainly a mango orchard, was later named Mujibnagar after the聽 ceremonial formation of the provisional government of Bangladesh.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared the first president of the People鈥檚 Republic of Bangladesh, while Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed as the acting president in the absence of Mujib.
Tajuddin Ahmed was appointed as the first prime minister, while Khondoker Moshtaque Ahmed, M Mansur Ali, and AHM Qamaruzzaman were named as cabinet members.
The interim government named General MAG Osmani as the commander-in-chief of Mukti Bahini and made Major General Abdur Rob the chief of army staff.
The provisional government played a key role during the War of Independence in achieving the victory on December 16.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and prime minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of Mujibnagar Day.
In a message ahead of the day, the president extended his heartiest greetings and congratulations to the countrymen and all Bangladeshis staying abroad.
He said that April 17 is a memorable day in the long path of struggle for the independence of the Bangalee nation.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina said that the day was memorable in the national life of Bangalees.
Meherpur turned into the capital of the provisional government, and from that day on, the place became known as 鈥楳ujibnagar,鈥� she noted.
The prime minister recalled that within two hours after the completion of formalities for the Mujibnagar government, the Pakistani Air Force occupied Meherpur by carrying out bombings and attacks.
The liberation war affairs ministry has chalked out elaborate programmes, starting with the hoisting of the national flag and the placing of floral wreaths at the Liberation War Memorial Centre at Mujibnagar in Meherpur district.
Guards of honour and a colourful parade will also be held at Mujibnagar Amrakanan by veteran freedom fighters, police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Ansar and VDP, BNCC, scouts, girls guides, and school and college students.
On this day, important installations and buildings in the capital and in Mujibnagar will be illuminated, while road islands will be decorated with national flags, reported Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.
Seminars and prayers will be hosted in different educational institutions. Similar programmes will be held at district and upazila levels and also at Bangladesh embassies abroad.
The Bangladesh missions abroad will take up similar programmes highlighting the importance of Mujibnagar Day.
The ruling Awami League will start activities in the morning by hoisting the national and party flags at Bangabandhu Bhaban and the party central office in Dhaka, as well as at all units and affiliated organisations鈥� offices across the country.
At Mujibnagar, national and party flags will be hoisted, tributes will be paid to the mausoleum, a guard of honour will be given, and a public rally marking the day will be held at Sheikh Hasina Mancha, where central leaders of the party will attend.
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD will hold a discussion meeting at the National Press Club at 11:00am marking the day, where the party鈥檚 president, ASM Abdur Rob, will chair.
Newspapers will publish special supplements while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, and private TV channels air different programmes highlighting the significance of the day.
