The ruling Awami League (AL) and different social, political and cultural organisations on Saturday paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the National Day of the Independence Day.
The AL paid glowing tributes to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at his portrait in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi in the capital.
The surroundings of Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi-32 wore a festive look as a cross section of people, including leaders and workers of the AL, its associate and likeminded bodies thronged there to pay homage to the architect of independent Bangladesh.
Earlier in the morning, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his portrait there. After placing the wreath, she stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect to the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of the independence.
Flanked by central leaders of the party, Sheikh Hasina, also the president of Awami League, placed another wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of her party.
AL presidium members Begum Matia Chowdhury, Dr Abdur Razzaque, Shajahan Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Tofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, joint general secretary and information and broadcasting minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, publicity and publication secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap, liberation war affairs secretary Mrinal Kanti Das, relief and social welfare secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, office secretary Biplab Barua, information and research secretary Dr Selim Mahmud and deputy office secretary Sayem Khan were, among others, present on the occasion.
After paying homage to the portrait of Bangabandhu, Quader said making the AL organised to build Sonar Bangla under Sheikh Hasina should be the motto of this day.
The country's independence was achieved after a long struggle with the sacrifice of blood and tears, he said: "Now our struggle is economic emancipation, while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is leading this struggle".
After AL President Sheikh Hasina left Bangabandhu Bhaban, the leaders of various political, social, cultural and professional organisations paid their respects by placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu.
Dhaka City North and South units of AL, Awami Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League, Jatiya Sramik League, Bangladesh Krishak League, Jubo Mahila League, Mahila Awami League and Tanti League placed wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu.
After that, Dhaka University unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), Dhaka city units of BCL, Dhaka North and South city units of Swechchhasebak League and Dhaka College unit of BCL paid homage to Bangabandhu.
Besides, various organisations, including Bangabandhu Parishad, Mahila Sramik League, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Awami Muktijoddha Prajanma League, Olama League, Bangabandhu Ain Parishad, and people from all strata paid respect at the portrait of Bangabandhu.
