Shawdesh Desk:

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday paid rich tributes to Bangladesh’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking his 47th martyrdom anniversary and National Mourning Day.

As part of the state program, the prime minister paid homage to the architect of the country’s independence by placing wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32 in the capital.

After placing the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time to show profound respect to the great leader.

A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute at that time, while the bugle played a tune of grief and somber to the last post.

A munajat was also offered seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of August 15 carnage.

After paying tributes to Sheikh Mujib, the prime minister visited the historic residence of the father of the nation at Dhanmondi Road No 32 which witnessed the world’s most barbaric carnage on this day 47 years back.

She stayed at the house, which has now been turned into Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, for a while.

Later, flanked by senior Awami League leaders, Sheikh Hasina, also AL president, placed a wreath at the portrait of Sheikh Mujib on behalf of the party.

The day is being observed across the country as the National Mourning Day.

Sheikh Mujib, his spouse Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, his three sons — Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, and Sheikh Russel — and most of the family members of Mujib and his three close relatives were assassinated on the fateful night of August 15, 1975 by a group of disgruntled army men.

Two daughters of Mujib — incumbent prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her sister Sheikh Rehana — could escape the carnage as they stayed abroad at that time.

From Dhanmondi, the PM later went to the Banani Graveyard where her mother Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, brothers Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal, and Sheikh Russel and other martyrs of August 15, 1975 were laid to eternal rest.

She placed wreaths and spread flower petals on their graves.

Sheikh Hasina also offered Fateha and prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls of the martyrs of August 15.

A smartly turned out contingent of Bangladesh Armed Forces gave a state salute at that time.