Shawdesh Desk:

Sheikh Russel Day is observed across the country today, marking the 59th birthday of Shaheed Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Sheikh Russel, also the youngest brother of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was born at the historic Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi in the capital on October 18 in 1964.

He was brutally killed along with most of his family members, including his father Bangabandhu, on August 15, 1975 when he was a student of class four at University Laboratory School.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid rich tribute to Shaheed Sheikh Russel on his 59th birthday.

On the eve of the day, they issued separate messages, recalling the memories of Shaheed Sheikh Russel. They also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of Sheikh Russel.

The President in his message said Bangabandhu loved children very much as he knew that in order to build a happy and prosperous ‘Sonar Bangla’, the new generation had to be built as worthy citizens.

On the auspicious occasion of Sheikh Russel’s birthday, the premier in her message said, “I pay my deep respects to the memory of Russel.”

Bangabandhu’s favorite author was the famous philosopher and Nobel Prize winner author Bertrand Russell and that is why Bangabandhu and Bangamata had named their little boy ‘Russel’, she added.

His birthday is declared as Sheikh Russel Day so that every year, children could learn about the life of the child Russel, the premier said.

The Cabinet Division last year declared October 18, the birthday of Sheikh Russel, as Sheikh Russel Day approving a proposal for listing it in A Grade to observe the day nationally.

Government organisations, ruling Awami League, its associate bodies, and different socio-cultural organisations have chalked out various programmes at national and international levels to mark the day.

Awami League leaders and activists placed wreaths at the graves of Sheikh Russel and other martyrs of the August 15, 1975 carnage at Banani graveyard in the capital at 9:00am. They also offered fateha there.

Prayer sessions will also be held at mosques and other places of worship on the occasion.

Different dailies published supplements, marking Sheikh Russel Day. The day is also being observed at Bangladesh missions abroad.