Bangladesh started celebrating the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman through the national anthem, songs, poetry and fireworks on Tuesday.
A scaled-down inaugural ceremony started at a leafy venue inside the Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka at 8pm, the moment of his birth, as the government restricted gatherings due to coronavirus pandemic.
The ceremony titled “Muktir Mahanayak” (The Great Hero of Freedom) began with the national anthem and fireworks. The city corporations also organised fireworks in parts of the capital, reports bdnews24.com.
President Abdul Hamid is delivering his speech, followed by a musical session by 100 children. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also addressing the nation and her younger sister Sheikh Rehana is sharing her thoughts and singing the theme song of Mujib Barsha, (Mujib Year).
Hasina is reciting a poem, written by Rehana, that depicts the sorrows of a daughter who lost her father.
Recorded speeches by the heads of state and government, including the prime ministers of India, Nepal, Bhutan and general-secretaries of the United Nations and OIC, will be broadcast.
Later, a pixel mapping, a video display system, and a laser-show will take place at the south plaza of the parliament.
Hasina launched a souvenir and a commemorative stamp from her official residence Ganabhaban in the afternoon.
A two-hour programme was organised in Tungipara, the birthplace of the Father of the Nation.
